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@astrologica wrote:

Is it not true that for some people, their inability to earn more than the minimum wage is a direct consequence of their lack of responsibility?

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I think that is a little harsh, except for perhaps a very small proportion of people.

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Where I live hundreds of local jobs - bar, cafe and restaurant work, shop assistants, hotel staff, care home helpers, etc. are often minimum wage.

Someone has to do all those necessary jobs and those that do them are neither irresponsible or lacking in useful abilities. 

Lousy pay coupled with high rents and house prices (thanks to a high proportion of wealthy second home owners who often only use their properties for 2 or 3 weeks in an entire year) make it very difficult for young people to manage.  It's impossible for them to ever hope to own their own place.