A cap would fit us all | Andrew Simms

The maximum wage isn't just for equality: it helps firms – and big earners – to function happily

Whether it is bankers, doctors or dentists pulling in excessive pay, people are left wanting to spit at their greed. But John Varley, Barclays chief executive, reacted in horror this week to the suggestion of a Radio 4 interviewer that some parameters should be put around pay and bonuses awarded to bank staff. It would "interfere with the market". This, it should now be clear, was a deeply strange ...