Young women ‘close to edge’


“Young women are being pushed closer to the cliff edge during this cost of living crisis because they already earn less than their male peers,” according to Claire Reindorp, chief executive of the Young Women’s Trust.


Reindorp was commenting on the trust’s annual survey, Just Getting By, which found that young women are likely to be paid less than young men and to face discrimination due to their age, gender, appearance and caring responsibilities.


Almost a quarter (24%) of the 4,000 18 to 30 year old women surveyed had direct experience of unequal pay for similar work, while more than two-fifths (42%) had faced discrimination.


As a result, more than half of young women (52%) are “filled with dread” about household finances, compared with 27% in 2020, while money worries are affecting 75% of young single mothers and 65% of mothers who are joint parents.


“There’s a gaping hole in our economy where young women’s talents and skills should be,” said Reindorp. “Too many are stuck in low-paid, insecure jobs, unable to work the hours they would like – or worse, forced out of the workforce altogether.


“At a time in life when they should be dreaming, learning and growing, they’re trapped in a struggle to meet their most basic needs.”