Liam I normally agree with what you have to say but you've lost me with this stuff. Supply and demand are the only factors which affect salary in most industries and are certainly the only factors which affect our salary/remuneration - hence the A scale and huge housing and other benefits which were needed in the 1980's to attract us. Things have now changed hence the downward pressure since the mid 1990's. Sure governments can intervene but normally only to raise the lowest (minimum wage) and cap the highest (bankers bonuses) and then only if public opinion demands it - and there's not the remotest chance the two would ever meet as you suggest.