1 IN 3 UK WORKERS BEHIND ON BILLS
10million can’t make ends meet
ONE in three British workers is falling behind with household bills, a study suggests.
And one in four fears conditions in the workplace will get worse after Brexit.
The Survation survey of 2000 workers found the “cost of living gap” is leading to longer working hours, stress and debt mountains for millions trying to provide for their families.
The Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS), who commissioned the survey, says it is a national “scandal” that people working full-time cannot make ends meet.
The think tank says the Tory Government is aware of the problem but chooses to focus on the high employment rate and ignores workers’ concerns.
In the survey, one in three workers – a total of 10million – said they are unable to keep up with the basic cost of living, with many turning to payday loans and using credit cards to keep their heads above water.
One in five workers reported a monthly shortfall of more than £100.
Half of those earning less than £20,000 said they find it hard to meet basic costs.
In the survey, women workers were more likely to say they struggle to keep up with basic costs.
Hopes of decent pay rises are low, with only 30 per cent of workers questioned expecting an aboveinflation increase this year.
CLASS is calling for the Government to properly measure job quality and worker wellbeing and avoid the use of misleading headline employment statistics alone.
They also want a ministry of labour to be set up to strengthen workers’ rights and renew the relationship between government and trade unions.
And they say the Low Pay Commission should be scrapped and replaced with a real living wage commission, giving workers a say about their pay.
CLASS director Dr Faiza Shaheen said: “The multiple stresses of low pay and overwork are a serious threat to workers’ health as well as the wider economy.”