Millions of UK workers struggle to make ends meet – study

Over four million working households in the UK are not earning enough to afford a decent living standard, new research shows 

The study, conducted by the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP), found 4.2 million working households struggled to cover basic needs in 2023/24. 

This is a marked increase since 2008/09, when just over half of working households (55.5%), lived below minimum income standard (MIS) – what the public considers necessary to live with dignity in the UK. 

Households living below the MIS may struggle to heat their homes, enjoy days out with their children or save money. 

Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the research also highlighted part-time workers, self-employed people and single parents are particularly affected. 

More than half of dingle adults without children (53%) who were self-employed or working part time were below the MIS in 2023/24, up from 44.5% in 2008/09. For couples without children, where only one adult worked full time, 43.3% were below the MIS. 

For single parents working full-time, 59.5% were below MIS — more than double the rate in 2008/09 (28.7%).

Peter Matejic, chief analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: ‘Nearly four in ten of the population of the sixth richest country in the world can’t afford to live a decent life. It’s simply not right that millions of people don’t earn enough to afford a publicly agreed standard of living. 

‘Not earning enough has a ruinous effect on people’s productivity at work, their mental health and their relationships with family and friends. Worrying about affording the basics means people can’t spend time on the things that make them and our economy grow. This can translate to fading ambitions, talents not nurtured and skills not learned.’

Dr Elaine Robinson, lead author of the report, added: ‘Our analysis shows that increasingly, work does not give people what they need for a decent standard of living – over two-thirds of working-age households living on an inadequate income have someone in work.’

‘This report lays bare the scale of the challenge facing the government,’ she continued. ‘Improvements in workers’ rights are welcome, but these do little to ensure that work provides what households need to cover the basics, let alone to feel part of the society they live in.’ 

Image: Ethan Sykes/UnSplash 

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