Average earnings in Britain are £13 a week lower than they were ten years ago, a Resolution Foundation report has revealed.
The damning study found the ‘Just About Managing’ group accounted for half of the rise in employment since 2008/09, meaning The Conservatives’ oft celebrated jobs boom has been driven by those on the lowest incomes.
Employment across the bottom third of households made up 1.2 million of the 2.1 million increase in jobs between 2008-2017.
And job insecurity remains “widespread” – with around 800,000 Brits currently employed on zero-hours contracts.
Resolution Foundation economist Stephen Clarke said the higher employment rates were “a much-needed bright spark amidst the gloom of the pay squeeze”.
He said: “Lower income families have accounted for the majority of Britain’s jobs growth, showing that pushing for full employment can boost living standards.
“But while employment is at a record high, Britain is still some way off full employment and too much work remains low paid and insecure.
“Steps to provide advance notice of shifts and a right to a regular contract for those working regular hours on a zero hour contract would also help those in work who have precious little job security.”
