EMPLOYMENT: Low-paid made to take two jobs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The number of people with two jobs has jumped by 37 per cent - from 917,000 to 1,263,000 - since the last election, according to analysis of official figures by the House of Commons library.
The figures, supplied to Ian McCartney, Labour's chief employment spokesman, also show that almost 2 million workers earn less than pounds 3 an hour and 342,000 less than pounds 1.50 an hour. Mr McCartney argues that low wages force people to take second jobs.
Labour has also claimed that two-thirds of Britain's 1.8 million unemployed have no qualifications. Stephen Byers, the party's employment spokesman, said the statistics showed the clear relationship between lack of educational qualifications and the likelihood of being jobless.
Nationally, 1.2 million without qualifications are unemployed. Men aged 18-24 with no qualifications have only a 50-50 chance nationally of being in work, and only a one-third chance in London. In the North, 65 per cent of unqualified men over 50 are without work.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments