One in five children with key worker parents are living in poverty, TUC research suggests
By Rachel Lawler
New research from the TUC shows that one in five key worker households have children living in poverty.
The TUC used the government鈥檚 of key worker for the analysis, which includes those working in education and childcare.
Below the breadline
The analysis estimates that there are a total of 1 million children with key worker parents living below the breadline 鈥 an increase of 65,000 in the past two years.
The union has warned that without further government action this will rise to 1.1 million in 2023 as pay rises fail to keep up with rising inflation.
The analysis also shows that in some regions see an even higher percentage of children in key worker households living in poverty 鈥 such as in the north east (41%), north west (29%) and London (29%).
Wages squeeze
Frances O鈥橤rady, general secretary of the TUC, commented: 鈥淥ur amazing key workers got us through the pandemic. The very least they deserve is to be able to provide for their families.
鈥淏ut the government is locking too many key worker households into poverty. Ministers鈥 heartless decision to hold down pay will cause widespread hardship and put the UK at greater risk of recession.
鈥淎fter the longest squeeze in 200 years we urgently need to get more money in the pockets of working families. After the longest wage squeeze in 200 years we urgently need to get more money into the pockets of working families.鈥