BBC Question Time returned yesterday as Fiona Bruce made the journey to Inverness, Scotland. Mrs. Bruce was joined in Inverness by Angus Robertson, the former Westminster leader of the SNP, Craig Hoy, Scottish Tory Party chairman, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Labor shadow secretary of Social Security, editor Fraser Nelson and award-winning stand- up comedian Susie McCabe.
As the debate quickly turned to the issue of Scottish independence, impassioned panelists and animated spectators spoke up about the cost of living, the strike action and demands for wage increases.
During a discussion about wage increases, an audience member expressed concern about the impact on inflation.
She claimed, “It would be fiscal suicide to raise wages.”
“The more you raise wages, the higher inflation.
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“The cost of living is going to get even higher and then growth will be even slower than it is.”
The audience member appeared to be echoing previous comments by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.
Speaking to the Treasury Select Committee in May, Mr Bailey said: “My opinion – and I was asked about this recently – I really think that people, especially those with higher incomes, should think and think about asking for high pay raises. ”
Mr Bailey, who earns £575,000 a year, added: “It’s a social issue. I’m not preaching about this. I was asked if I took a raise myself this year and I said no, I asked the bank not to give me one.
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NHS staff, teachers and even lawyers have threatened to take action.
The cost of living has also continued to bite penny-pinching Brits.
Inflation rose 9.1 percent in May, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Ms Bruce will return to the TV screens next Thursday when the BBC presenter joins panelists and audience members in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.