Almost two million low-paid workers will get a pay rise today, as the Government’s National Living Wage comes into law. This is a big moment for a Government committed to making work pay. Giving the low-paid a pay rise is, however, not enough on its own.
The next big challenge for the Government is to help those on the bottom rung of the pay ladder to develop new skills, take on more hours and progress in the workplace as a long-term route out of poverty.
Invest in skills and help those at the bottom progress in work:
Surveys of employers have found that almost 75 per cent of UK school leavers applying for entry-level jobs lack basic functional skills in literacy and numeracy. This holds back young people and keeps them rooted at the bottom of the employment ladder.
The so called ‘jobs miracle’ has enabled 1.7 million more people into work. The ‘jobs miracle 2.0’ should focus on the development of new skills and taking on more hours as a long-term route out of poverty. As the old political slogan goes, 'a lot done, a lot still to do' as the Government looks towards the next stages of welfare reform.
To read our 2015 report 'Tackling Low Pay' click here
CSJ in the news:
Click here to listen to CSJ Director, Philippa Stroud on Radio 4's 'Week in Westminster' discussing Universal Credit