Part-time female workers ‘are way off’ living wage

Women in part-time jobs are bearing “the brunt of in-work poverty”, according to new research published by the TUC today.

The union umbrella group found that more than 75 per cent of female staff in over 130 parliamentary constituencies earn less than the living wage, the independently calculated rate based on the cost of living.

Moreover, part-time female workers earn just 67p for every pound earned by men working full time. In effect, says the TUC, this makes today the last day of the year on which they get paid.

Employers that have signed up to the living wage campaign pay at least £9.15 per hour in London and £7.85 outside the capital. That compares with the national minimum wage of £6.50 an hour, which is set to rise to £9 in 2020 for staff aged over 24.

Sarah Vero at the Living Wage Foundation said: “Unfortunately, one of the hallmarks of low pay is that women are disproportionately affected. The figures from the TUC are worrying, as it appears the problem is not going away any time soon.”

The worst-affected constituencies in the TUC’s survey include Dwyfor Meirionnydd in Wales, where nearly 80 per cent of women working part-time receive less than the living wage, and Birmingham Northfield, where 76.8 per cent earn less. Seventeen of the constituents affected are in London.

Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary, said: “Our labour market is failing to deliver for women across the UK.”