Responding to the figures Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation said “More people in work, but many still trapped in poverty. Whilst it is welcome that more people are in work than ever before, the combination of low pay, stagnating wages and a lack of progression opportunities is locking more people in poverty. 1 in 8 workers are living in poverty and once inflation is taken into account, average workers are still earning £25 per week less than 10 years ago.”
“It is not right that so many workers are being swept into poverty by a tide of low pay and rising living costs. Measures to improve skills and progression are important but will take time. The Government can right the wrong of in-work poverty immediately by enabling low paid workers to keep more of their earnings by increasing the work allowances in Universal Credit.”
