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Report: The insecurity complex

There are 3.7 million people (12%) in the UK in low paid and insecure work, and these insecure workers are more likely to have lost work during the pandemic, according to new research conducted by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF). 

Report: The insecurity complex 1

Key findings

  • Around 3.7 million people are in insecure forms of work and earn less than the real Living Wage of £10.85 per hour in London, and £9.50 outside of London.  
  • Low-paid insecure workers are at a greater risk of losing work due to Covid-19. 46% of insecure, low-paid workers were away from work (mainly due to being furloughed) during the height of the pandemic, compared to 17% of non-insecure workers earning above the Living Wage. 
  • 12% receive less than 24 hours’ notice for their working hours, shifts or work schedules, while nearly half receive less than a weeks’ notice of their working hours, shifts or work schedules.
  • Almost half (42%) have experienced unexpected cancellations of shifts, and of those, 28% receive no payment and 90% get shifts cancelled without full pay. 
  • 40% said short notice periods had negatively impacted their ability to plan their work and personal lives, and over a third (35%) said that short notice periods for shifts had a negative impact on their household finances. 
  • A quarter (25%) said they had to pay higher travel costs due to short notice for working hours, shifts or work schedules, and 23% had done the same with childcare costs. 

This report looks at the scale of insecure and low paid work in the UK, the impact of Covid-19 on insecure workers and includes polling which reveals the impact of short notice periods for shifts. 

It also looks at how the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Hours accreditation is part of the solution for employers wanting to support their employees with guaranteed hours and secure working patterns.