Fifth ran out of money during pandemic

A fifth (20%) of key workers questioned for a TUC poll say that they have had to reduce their spending ahead of pay day during the Covid pandemic.

According to the union body, the survey “shines a light on the financial hardship experienced by key workers during the pandemic”, as:

• around one in nine (11%) said their levels of debt had increased since the pandemic began;

• around one in 17 (6%) said that they had taken on a second job to make ends meet;

• one in 33 (3%) said they had used food banks; and

• more than one in four (27%) said they don’t believe they receive a fair wage for the work they do.

Responding to the poll results, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Many (key workers) are struggling just to pay their basic bills and put food on the table. And one in five are facing the trauma of running out of money before pay day.

“We must get the minimum wage up to £10 an hour to stop millions of working people from living in poverty.”

https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-poll-1-5-key-workers-say-theyve-cut-back-spending-during-pandemic