Considering it an inhibitor of small business is assuming unquantified/unrecognised subsidisation either by the employee or government. If everyone were paid a

Considering it an inhibitor of small business is assuming unquantified/unrecognised subsidisation either by the employee or government. If everyone were paid a minimum wage, theoretically a new employee could agree for this additional wage portion to be capitalised as a liability in the business for payment at a later stage when the businesses cashflow can support it (this is open to abuse and probably should be or is illegal for low wage employees). If the government is subsidising that employee's income, they are indirectly subsidising that business. It would be more transparent/in the public's interest for them to apply for a business grant to pay these costs. Increasing access to these grants is a political issue.