In her Hardworking Britain column each week, Frances Ryan focuses on stories of individuals who are affected by government policy, including the austerity agenda, which has led to a reduction in welfare spending over the past six years. If you have a story to share for this series then we welcome your contributions here.
One area we are particularly interested in is in-work poverty. The charity, Child Poverty Action Group has found that many working parents can’t earn enough to provide for their children; and one in three Londoners doesn’t have the income necessary for a minimum standard of living.
In April the Conservatives attempted to tackle this with the introduction of a “national living wage” – meaning all working people aged 25 and over earn £7.20 an hour or more. However, the Living Wage Commission recently warned that this was not enough, arguing that wages needed to increase at a faster rate than rising rents, petrol prices and heating bills to continue closing the gap between low- and high-paid workers.
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has said that Labour would go further if elected, introducing a “real living wage” of at least £10 an hour.
So what are your experiences? Do you struggle to survive on your current pay? Do your wages cover rent and your food bills? How has in-work poverty affected your family life, and your ability to provide for your children? Share your story with us below.
