William Eichler 07 December 2016

Poverty in working households at ‘record high’ levels

A ‘record high’ of more than half of the people in poverty are in working households, shocking new research reveals.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has published its annual state-of- the-nation report which found 13.5 million people - 21% of the UK’s population - are living in poverty.

Produced by the research group the New Policy Institute, the report discovered one in every eight workers in the UK - 3.8 million people - is now living in poverty.

A total of 7.4 million people, including 2.6 million children, are in poverty despite being in a working family, the researchers found, which means 55% of people in poverty are in working households.

‘The UK economy is not working for low-income families,’ said Helen Barnard, head of analysis at JRF.

‘The economy has been growing since 2010 but during this time high rents, low wages and cuts to working-age benefits mean that many families, including working households, have actually seen their risk of poverty grow.’

‘This report shows that people on low-incomes cannot rely on economic growth and rising employment alone to improve their financial prospects,’ she continued.

‘Families who are just about managing urgently need action to drive up real-term wages, provide more genuinely affordable homes and fill the gap caused by cuts to Universal Credit, which will cost a working family of four almost £1,000 per year.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner