Think-tank warns millions fear low pay and insecurity despite being in work

THOUSANDS OF people across Yorkshire feel trapped in lowpaid and insecure jobs, according to a new report.

The York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published figures suggesting 5.3m people in major cities and their surrounding areas are either out of work and want a job or are in work but need more hours or higher pay to make ends meet.

JRF calculated 389,000 people in the Sheffield city region area and 464,000 in the Leeds city region are seeking more secure work or facing barriers to getting into the job market.

In both areas the figures represent around 40 per cent of the workforce.

The think-tank argued the figures showed that Britain enjoying record levels of employment masked underlying problems on pay levels and job security.

It called for action to create better jobs to be a priority for city leaders and the government.

Dave Innes, economist at JRF, said: “Britain has enjoyed a jobs miracle and the national picture on jobs is good – more people are in work than ever before.

“But these figures show millions of people across our big cities are missing out on this success and there is still a long way to go.

“The priority for city leaders and the government is to use the industrial strategy to create the conditions for more and better jobs, and ensure people who have been left behind can find work.”

The JRF said a forthcoming report from the Government on progress to full employment should consider the gaps in opportunities between different places and the quality of jobs available.

The latest official statistics on the number of people in and out of work are due to be published today.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independent organisation working to inspire social change through research, policy and practice. The foundation has a vision for a prosperous UK without poverty.