Unemployment figures hide reality of underemployment

Commenting on the latest fall in unemployment figures, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said: 

“Sadly today’s fall in the total number of unemployed, masks the scourge of underemployment which is growing at an alarming rate across the country.

“In some parts of the country unemployment is still growing and underemployment is now a bitter reality for millions of struggling families across the UK.

“Too many people are stuck in minimum wage jobs, on zero hours contracts and part time work when they are desperate to go full time.  Desperate because they need regular, secure employment to feed their families without having to resort to foodbanks, pay their bills without falling into the grip of pay day lenders and decent pay to rebuild consumer confidence and grow the economy.

“Growing the economy means giving more workers across the UK a boost to their earnings.  The Government should show the way by taking the cap off public sector pay rises now.”

ends