Britain’s workforce is getting larger but poorer

Commenting on the latest employment figures published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Britain’s workforce is getting larger but poorer.

“It is encouraging that more jobs are being created but job quality is falling and close to a 20-year low. A record number of people are stuck in part-time jobs because they can’t find full-time work, while real wages continue to shrink fast despite falling inflation.

“We need better jobs and healthier pay rises to tackle to the living standards crisis and ensure that the full benefits of recovery reach working people.”

According to the TUC’s jobs quality index launched this morning, job quality has fallen again and is close to its lowest point in the last 20-years.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC job quality index is available here www.tuc.org.uk/economic-issues/labour-market/job-quality-close-20-year-low-despite-rising-employment-rates and will be updated at www.touchstoneblog.org.uk

- The TUC’s campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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