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1 in 7 workers in the North are
skipping meals to make ends meet
14% of workers in the North are
skipping meals to make ends meet, according to new TUC polling aimed at
highlighting the impact of stagnant wages.
The TUC/GQR poll found that 34% are worried about meeting basic household
expenses, such as food, transport and energy. And a third think cost of living
pressures are getting worse.
The poll also reveals that 19% of workers have left the heating off when it was
cold to save on energy bills. And 18% have pawned something in the last year
because they were short on money.
Asked how they would deal with an unexpected ₤500 bill, 27% of workers said they
would not be able to pay. And of those that could pay, 20% say they would have
to go in to debt or sell something.
TUC research has shown that since the crash, real wages in the UK have fallen,
while they rose across Europe.
TUC analysis published in May revealed that shrinking pay packets are forcing
workers to take on more personal debt. Unsecured debt per household was ₤13,200
in 2016; the highest figure since the crash. And is set to exceed ₤15,000
before the end of the next parliament.
TUC TUC Regional Secretary for the North West Lynn Collins said:- "When
you come home from a long day at work, you shouldn't have to worry whether you
can afford to eat. Having a job should provide you with a decent life, but it's
not even covering the basics for many. 10 years on from the crash, working
families are on a financial cliff edge. Pay packets are worth less and less, but bills keep rising, and personal debt is at
crisis levels.
The Government's inaction must not last. Ministers can raise wages by scrapping
public sector pay restrictions, investing to create great jobs across the
country, and increasing the minimum wage."
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