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UK workers on zero-hours contracts rise above 900,000 More than 900,000 UK workers now on zero-hours contracts
(35 minutes later)
The number of UK workers on zero-hours contracts has leapt 20% in a year to more than 900,000, indicating that insecure employment is becoming a bigger feature of the jobs market.The number of UK workers on zero-hours contracts has leapt 20% in a year to more than 900,000, indicating that insecure employment is becoming a bigger feature of the jobs market.
The Office for National Statistics said 903,000, or 2.9%, of the employed workforce were on zero-hours contracts in their main job, up from 747,000 for the same period in 2015 and from 804,000 in March.The Office for National Statistics said 903,000, or 2.9%, of the employed workforce were on zero-hours contracts in their main job, up from 747,000 for the same period in 2015 and from 804,000 in March.
In a stinging response to the data, the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said the government needed to give extra support to workers “living at the sharp end of the labour market”.In a stinging response to the data, the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said the government needed to give extra support to workers “living at the sharp end of the labour market”.
Analysis by the trade union body shows that workers on zero-hours contracts earn on average 50% less an hour than other staff. The median hourly rate for a zero-hours worker is £7.25 compared with £11.05 for all employees, the TUC said. Analysis by the trades union body shows that the average worker earns 50% more an hour than workers on zero-hours contracts . The median hourly rate for a zero-hours worker is £7.25 compared with £11.05 for all employees, the TUC said.
The Resolution Foundation thinktank said its analysis showed that 400,000 over-25s on zero-hours contracts, 70% of th age group, had the same employer for more than 12 months. The Resolution Foundation thinktank said its analysis showed that 400,000 over-25s on zero-hours contracts, 70% of the age group, had the same employer for more than 12 months.
It said the long-term use of the contracts showed that far from being offered as a stepping stone to more permanent full-time employment, it was a fixture of working life for many people. It said the long-term use of the contracts showed that far from being offered as a stepping stone to more permanent full-time employment, they were a fixture of working life for many people.
On average, staff on a zero-hours contract work 25 hours a week, the ONS said. But about one in three people (31%) on the contracts said they wanted to work more hours compared with 10% of those in other forms of employment.On average, staff on a zero-hours contract work 25 hours a week, the ONS said. But about one in three people (31%) on the contracts said they wanted to work more hours compared with 10% of those in other forms of employment.
Nick Palmer, an ONS statistician, said: “The estimated number of people saying they work on a zero-hours contract has risen by more than 20% since the same time last year. The ONS will continue to monitor and report on this trend to help inform understanding of changes in the UK’s employment market.”Nick Palmer, an ONS statistician, said: “The estimated number of people saying they work on a zero-hours contract has risen by more than 20% since the same time last year. The ONS will continue to monitor and report on this trend to help inform understanding of changes in the UK’s employment market.”
He said it was likely that some of the increase related to greater public awareness of the term “zero-hours contract”.He said it was likely that some of the increase related to greater public awareness of the term “zero-hours contract”.
O’Grady said the figures exposed a hidden part of the British economy. “Zero-hours contracts have become an easy way for bosses to employ staff on the cheap. There is no getting away from the fact that zero-hours workers earn less money and have fewer rights than people with permanent jobs,” she said.O’Grady said the figures exposed a hidden part of the British economy. “Zero-hours contracts have become an easy way for bosses to employ staff on the cheap. There is no getting away from the fact that zero-hours workers earn less money and have fewer rights than people with permanent jobs,” she said.
“It is very easy for politicians and employers to talk about the flexibility these contracts offer. But they are not the ones living at the sharp end of the labour market. If you don’t know how much work you will have from one day to the next, paying the bills and arranging things like childcare can be a nightmare.”“It is very easy for politicians and employers to talk about the flexibility these contracts offer. But they are not the ones living at the sharp end of the labour market. If you don’t know how much work you will have from one day to the next, paying the bills and arranging things like childcare can be a nightmare.”
A spokeswoman for the department for business, energy and industrial strategy, said: “As the prime minister has made clear, we want to do more to build an economy that works for everyone and to help working people who are struggling to get by. “Since May last year, the use of exclusivity clauses has been unlawful, meaning that individuals have more control over their lives and can work more hours with another employer if they wish,” she added.