1. 2 million Brits get a raise as minimum wage jumps to $13 an hour
“Up to 2 million UK workers will be getting bigger paychecks starting in April following a hike to the minimum wage.
The minimum hourly wage for people over the age of 23 will increase by 6.6% to £9.50 ($13), the government said ahead of its budget announcement on Wednesday.
The increase to the National Living Wage is more than twice the current inflation rate of 3.1%. But it has been criticized as inadequate because inflation is expected to race higher in the coming months and the government is slashing benefits for some low earners while hiking taxes on workers.”
When given cash with no strings attached, low- and middle-income parents increased their spending on their children, according to Washington State University research. The study, published in the journal Social Forces, also found that the additional funding had little impact on child-related expenditures of high-income parents.
I think this is great. Hopefully this drastically decreases the cost for residential solar as well. I pay an arm and a leg for electricity, and I looked into solar options, but with how much panels & install cost it would take me about 15-20 years before I see any financial benefit. The monthly cost of leasing out panels is just about the same as my monthly electric bill, and I don't have the funds to commit to that kind of a purchase/lease agreement long term for no benefit to my bottom line.
“Costco this week raised its starting wage for hourly store workers in the United States for the second time this year as businesses hike pay to draw and retain workers amid a labor shortage.”
Costco told employees last week that it would increase its minimum wage from $16 an hour to $17 starting on Monday. Costco has around 180,000 US employees, and 90% of them work hourly. Costco's new starting wage puts the chain— which has among the lowest turnover rates in the retail industry— $2 per hour above Amazon, Target and other top retailers' minimum wage, and $5 an hour above Walmart's.
5. North America’s first whale sanctuary is taking shape in rural Nova Scotia
“The Whale Sanctuary Project is expected to officially open its visitor and operations centre in Sherbrooke, N.S., marking the first time the U.S.-based conservation group has moved from the planning phase to actually building something.”
“Psilocybin is a naturally-occurring psychedelic found in certain species of fungi often known simply as “magic mushrooms”.
“Incannex’s clinical trial will be the first in the world to examine the safety and effectiveness of using this psychedelic to help treat GAD.”
That's it for this week. Until next week, stay safe and don’t forget to share this newsletter with your friends :)