'All our key workers in London deserve a decent standard of living for their family - but too often their hard work is not paying off like it should'
KATHERINE JOHNSTON (16 July, 2021)
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A quarter of children in key workers’ homes in London are living in poverty, according to new figures published by the TUC.
According to the research, produced by Landman Economics and published this week, 165,000 children with key worker parents are living below the breadline, rising to more than a million across the UK.
Researchers found London has the second highest rate of child poverty in key worker households (27 per cent) just behind the North East (29 per cent) compared with a UK average of 21 per cent. All figures are based on household income after costs.
The research uses the government definition of a key worker, encompassing health and social care, public sector, food and other essential workers such as delivery drivers.
Many industries are dominated by low pay and insecure hours, with Universal Credit failing to meet their needs.
TUC Regional Secretary Sam Gurney said: “All our key workers in London deserve a decent standard of living for their family.
“But too often their hard work is not paying off like it should. And they struggle to keep up with the basic costs of family life.
“The prime minister has promised to ‘build back fairer’. He should start with our key workers.
“They put themselves in harm’s way to keep the country going through the pandemic. Now, we must be there for them too.
“This isn’t just about doing right thing by key workers. If we put more money in the pockets of working families, their spending will help our businesses and high streets recover in London. It’s the fuel in the tank that our economy needs.”
The TUC is lobbying for a rise in the national minimum wage to £10 per hour, ending the public sector pay freeze, keeping the £20 uplift in Universal Credit beyond this Autumn when it is due to be scrapped and ensuring all outsourced public sector workers are paid at least the real Living Wage.
A quarter of children in key workers’ homes in London are living in poverty, according to new figures published by the TUC.
According to the research, produced by Landman Economics and published this week, 165,000 children with key worker parents are living below the breadline, rising to more than a million across the UK.
Researchers found London has the second highest rate of child poverty in key worker households (27 per cent) just behind the North East (29 per cent) compared with a UK average of 21 per cent. All figures are based on household income after costs.
The research uses the government definition of a key worker, encompassing health and social care, public sector, food and other essential workers such as delivery drivers.
Many industries are dominated by low pay and insecure hours, with Universal Credit failing to meet their needs.
TUC Regional Secretary Sam Gurney said: “All our key workers in London deserve a decent standard of living for their family.
“But too often their hard work is not paying off like it should. And they struggle to keep up with the basic costs of family life.
“The prime minister has promised to ‘build back fairer’. He should start with our key workers.
“They put themselves in harm’s way to keep the country going through the pandemic. Now, we must be there for them too.
“This isn’t just about doing right thing by key workers. If we put more money in the pockets of working families, their spending will help our businesses and high streets recover in London. It’s the fuel in the tank that our economy needs.”
The TUC is lobbying for a rise in the national minimum wage to £10 per hour, ending the public sector pay freeze, keeping the £20 uplift in Universal Credit beyond this Autumn when it is due to be scrapped and ensuring all outsourced public sector workers are paid at least the real Living Wage.
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