News / economy
One in three SW jobs are insecure
Research by the TUC has found that one in three jobs created in the South West since 2011 has been insecure, with an estimated 1 in 10 workers in the region now working in the gig economy. Insecure work is defined as casual, zero-hours contracts and low-paid self-employed workers.
The study, commissioned by the TUC from the Learning and Work Institute, found the trend is being driven mainly by traditional industries – education, restaurant work and residential social care – rather than newer sectors.
TUC Regional Secretary for the South West Nigel Costley said: “Insecure working in the South West has shot up in recent years.
“People need jobs they can live on. But if you don’t how much work you will have from one day to the next, making ends meet can be nightmare.
“Too many bosses in our region are getting away with shady employment practices. We need to keep the pressure up on government to improve protections for working people.”
The TUC estimates that the rise in insecure work since 2006 is costing the UK exchequer £4bn year, with the government collecting billions less in tax revenues.
Read more: Is the on-demand model inherently flawed?
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
