🎧 Audio
📖 Script
The UK government has announced an increase in the minimum wage for people aged over 21. Starting next year, they will earn at least £12.71 per hour. This change is part of an effort to help workers cope with the rising cost of living. Many people have welcomed this decision, as it will provide additional income to those who need it most. However, some experts argue that even with this increase, the new wage may still not be enough for some families to cover all their expenses.
The increase in the minimum wage is seen as a positive step by many, especially because the cost of living has been rising sharply in recent years. Prices for essential goods like food and housing have gone up significantly, making it difficult for people, especially those on lower incomes, to make ends meet. The new wage rate aims to provide some relief to these individuals by increasing their earnings.
Despite the good intentions behind the wage increase, there are concerns about its effectiveness. Some experts point out that the rise in wages might not keep pace with inflation, which is the rate at which prices for goods and services increase. If inflation continues to rise, the real value of the wage increase could be eroded, and workers might still struggle financially. Additionally, there is a worry that businesses might react to the increased wage costs by reducing their workforce or increasing prices, which could counter the benefits of the wage hike.
In conclusion, while the increase in the minimum wage to £12.71 per hour is a step in the right direction, it is not a complete solution to the problem of the high cost of living. It is important for the government and businesses to work together to find more comprehensive ways to support workers and ensure that they can afford a decent standard of living. This might include measures such as controlling inflation, providing affordable housing, and supporting job creation.
📝 Vocabulary
- minimum wage: the lowest amount of money that an employer is allowed to pay a worker
例文: “The government raised the minimum wage to help workers.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- raise the minimum wage
- earn minimum wage
- set minimum wage
最低賃金 - inflation: the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises
例文: “Inflation has caused the prices of groceries to increase.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high inflation
- control inflation
- inflation rate
インフレーション - cost of living: the amount of money needed to sustain a certain standard of living
例文: “The cost of living in the city is quite high.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- high cost of living
- rising cost of living
- cost of living index
生活費 - erode: to gradually reduce or destroy something
例文: “Over time, inflation can erode the value of savings.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- erode trust
- erode value
- erode confidence
侵食する、減らす - workforce: the people engaged in or available for work, either in a company or country
例文: “The company is looking to expand its workforce.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- skilled workforce
- diverse workforce
- increase workforce
労働力
✏️ Grammar Point
Comparative Structure – “The increase in the minimum wage is seen as a positive step by many, especially because the cost of living has been rising sharply in recent years.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
比較構文は、異なるものを比較するときや、特定の理由を強調するときに使われます。ビジネスの会議で、特定の戦略が他よりも優れている理由を説明するときに使えます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The minimum wage increase will definitely cover all living costs for families.
- MCQ: What is the new minimum wage for over 21s?
a) £10.00
b) £11.50
c) £12.71
d) £13.50 - MCQ: What is a concern mentioned about the wage increase?
a) It might lead to more job opportunities
b) It could cause inflation to drop
c) Businesses might reduce their workforce
d) It will lower the cost of living
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- c) £12.71
- c) Businesses might reduce their workforce
📚 Reading Questions
- What is the new minimum wage for people over 21?
- Why do some experts believe the wage increase might not be enough?
- What does the word “erode” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- £12.71 per hour
- Because inflation might outpace the wage increase, reducing its real value.
- To gradually reduce or destroy something
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
イギリス政府は、21歳以上の労働者の最低賃金を時間当たり£12.71に引き上げることを発表しました。この動きは、生活費の上昇に対処するための措置の一環です。多くの人々がこの決定を歓迎しており、特に低所得者層への支援として期待されています。しかし、一部の専門家は、この賃金引き上げがインフレに追いつかない可能性があり、実質的な価値が減少する懸念を示しています。また、企業が賃金コストの増加に対応するために労働力を削減したり、価格を上げたりする可能性もあると指摘されています。したがって、政府と企業が協力して、インフレの抑制や手頃な価格の住宅提供、雇用創出など、より包括的な支援策を講じることが重要です。
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn41v89xq4go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
