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As the clocks go back tonight (Saturday) to mark the beginning of winter, the TUC is calling for better pay and conditions for the 3.2 million workers who regularly work nights. 

New analysis published by the union body reveals that 3 in 10 (28%) night-workers earn less than £10 and 7 in 10 (69%) earn less than £15 an hour, roughly the UK median wage. 

The TUC says there is no evidence of a ‘pay premium’ for people working overnight. This despite the heightened health risks that come with night work and the disruption it causes to workers’ lives. 

Insecure and “undervalued” 

The TUC says that many key workers who keep vital services going overnight are undervalued and often employed on low pay and insecure contracts. 

Care workers (460,0000) account for the largest number of night workers in Britain. But many are low paid and on zero-hours contracts.  

The union body says the government must improve pay and conditions for night-workers. The TUC says this should include: 

  • A £15 an hour minimum wage for all staff as soon as possible. 

  • The introduction of sector-wide ‘fair pay agreements’ in sectors like social care to ensure minimum standards on pay, working conditions and training. 

  • Carers being paid for all their time on sleep-in shifts. 

Health impact of night work 

As well as being detrimental to family life, the health risks of regular night work include cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. 

The TUC is calling for a number of measures to protect and compensate night workers. These include: 

  • Pay to properly reflect the likely additional costs of childcare and inconvenience that night shifts can entail. 

  • New legislation to ensure that workers always have sufficient notice of their shift patterns so they can make arrangements well in advance.  

  • Compensation for shift changes at short notice. 

Workers’ safety 

Workers, particularly women, are at greater risk of harassment and attacks in their journey to and from work when it’s late at night. 

The TUC says employers should consider the health hazards of night working in risk assessments, and take responsibility for workers’ safety travelling to and from the workplace at night. 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “We all owe Britain’s night workers a huge debt for keeping the country running while we are asleep.  

“Working through the night is tough – with night-workers at higher risk of health problems and disruption to their daily lives. 

“But the truth is that many of those who work overnight – especially in key sectors like care – are on low pay and insecure contracts. 

“As the cost of living crisis escalates, ministers must do more to ensure all night workers get the pay they deserve. 

“That means raising the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible and improving working conditions so all night workers are treated with dignity at work.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Editors note

Top 10 occupations for night workers 

Top 10 Occupations 

Number 

% of workforce working overnight 

Caring Personal Services 

460,102 

35.1% 

Nursing Professionals 

215,988 

38.7% 

Road Transport Drivers 

197,474 

22.9% 

Other Elementary Services Occupations 

183,116 

19.8% 

Protective Service Occupations 

147,615 

46.4% 

Medical Practitioners 

113,915 

35.0% 

Elementary Security Occupations 

112,671 

33.9% 

Elementary Storage Occupations 

100,142 

22.2% 

Artistic, Literary and Media Occupations 

95,920 

23.0% 

Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers 

89,585 

8.2% 

Source: ONS Labour Force Survey, Apr-Jun 2022, Usual to work at night 

Night workers by UK region/nation 

Region/nation 

Number of night workers 

Percentage of workers doing night shifts 

North East 

149000 

14% 

North West 

371000 

12% 

Yorkshire and Humberside 

256000 

11% 

East Midlands 

255000 

12% 

West Midlands 

287000 

11% 

East of England 

309000 

10% 

London 

429000 

10% 

South East 

386000 

9% 

South West 

252000 

10% 

Wales 

153000 

12% 

Scotland 

283000 

11% 

Northern Ireland 

83000 

8% 

UK 

10.8% 

Source: Labour Force Survey, Apr-Jun 2022, Usual to work at night 

-The TUC estimates (based on official figures) that more than 1.9 million night-workers earn less than £15 an hour. That equates to almost 7 in 10 (69%) of night workers. Almost 800,000 earn below £10 an hour, equating to 28% of night workers. 

-The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living. 

Contacts: 

TUC press office 
media@tuc.org.uk 
020 7467 1248 

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