6 million UK workers paid under living wage
Newly-published figures suggest that some six million British workers are not being paid enough to meet the basic costs of living.
According to the data released by the Office for National Statistics, (ONS) the number of the workers who are not being paid the living wage is rising.
The living wage is currently £7.85 an hour in most parts of the UK and £9.15 in London.
“In 2014, there were some 6 million employee jobs paid less than the living wage in the UK. Over half of these were part-time jobs,” The Independent quoted the ONS as saying.
“Between April 2008 and April 2010, the proportion of jobs paid less than the living wage in London was stable at around 13%, but it had risen to 19% by April 2014…For the rest of the UK, where only 3 years of estimates are available, the proportion of employee jobs paid less than the living wage rose from 21% in April 2012 to 23% in April 2014,” the Office for National Statistics reported.
‘Phenomenon of low pay’
Now London-based university professor believes the low pay jobs have already taken their toll on the vulnerable households in the UK.
“We have the phenomenon of low pay, which is so low that the families which are working cannot have a decent standard of living,” Jonathan Rosenhead told Press TV’s UK Desk on Monday.
He also slashed the government’s austerity measures as a “comprehensive attack” targeting the poor.
“The government is currently slashing the extra payments. Now, the government is also slashing the tax credits…We have a comprehensive attack including the austerity, making the poor very poorer in the crisis of debt,” the London-based commentator added.
Tax credit cuts
The British government has already been under fire over its controversial tax cut plans.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey has called on the government to reconsider the planned tax credit cuts. He slammed the government's plans to cut tax credits, arguing hard-working families will be hit.
The Tory government is set to enforce £12bn of welfare cuts. Prime Minister David Cameron insists that tax credits should be replaced by higher wages.
But critics say the move can negatively affect low-income families.
British officials are yet to spell out how they plan to save £12bn in the welfare bill, but the measure is highly expected to include cuts onto child tax credits for those in work as well as housing benefit and some disability benefits.
The UK treasury has already confirmed its plans to go ahead with the welfare reductions despite the recent massive anti-austerity rallies.
UK budget leak fiasco
UK unemployment rate climbs to four-year high of 5%
Britain seeks EU, US steel pact to counter China
Iran vows ‘harsh response’ to any aggression
Russia warns of response to Ukrainian drone attack on Putin's residence
Iran sets decade-long plan to raise oilseed self-sufficiency
VIDEO | Historic monuments of India’s heritage capital crumbling under chronic neglect
China rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
VIDEO | Winter deepens the suffering of displaced families in northern West Bank camps
Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin's residence with 91 drones
Palestine Action hunger striker Heba Muraisi losing ability to speak
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
