NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN INSECURE WORK REACHES RECORD 4.1 MILLION

Posted on 24th June 2024

The number of people in insecure work has reached a record high of 4.1 million, according to new TUC analysis.

The analysis of official statistics shows the number of people in precarious employment – such as zero-hours-contracts, low-paid self-employment and casual/seasonal work – increased by nearly one million between 2011 and 2023. Over that period insecure work rose nearly three times faster than secure forms of employment. While the numbers in insecure work increased by 31%, those in secure employment increased by just 11%.

The TUC estimates that 1 in 8 workers in the UK are now employed in precarious employment. However, in some parts of the country, such as the West Midlands and the South West, this number has risen to 1 in 7.

The growth in insecure work since 2011 has been fuelled mainly by lower-paid sectors of the economy. In care, leisure, service occupations and elementary occupations the number of people in precarious employment has rocketed by over 600,000 (+70%) since 2011.

The analysis also shows that people in insecure work face a severe pay penalty compared to other workers. People on zero-hours contracts earn over a third (35%) less an hour, on average, than workers on median pay. And the pay gap between workers in seasonal (-33%) and casual (-37%) work and median earners is also stark.

In April, the Chartered Management Institute polling of managers revealed strong support for key New Deal policies:

More than 4 in 5 (82%) managers said granting workers fundamental day one rights was important.

3 in 4 (74%) managers said a ban on zero-hours contracts was important, and

3 in 4 (74%) managers said the publication of ethnicity and disability pay gaps was important.

The polling also revealed that 80% managers believe workers’ rights should be a top priority in national policies, while 83% said such changes can positively impact workplace productivity.

For more information visit www.tuc.org.uk