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Govt needs low-pay plan

07/01/2009

The government needs to establish a plan to deal with the ongoing problem of low-paid workers.

According to the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), it is in danger of ignoring problems with low-pay and in-work poverty.

Co-director Lisa Harker says the government must not "let its priorities get blown off course by the recession".

"If government is serious about creating a fairer, more socially mobile society and tackling child poverty, it must start planning now for an economic recovery that helps Britain's lowest paid and in-work poor," she said.

The IPPR's report, 'Nice Work If You Can Get It', revealed that 5.3 million adults are low-paid workers, with little prospect of improvement.

Ms Harker added: "Although unemployment looks set to rise dramatically over the next 12 months, we should not forget the millions of low-paid workers doing vital work across the country."

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has announced it will fund an additional 35,000 apprenticeships.

 

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