[UK] 7 in 10 disabled workers earn less than £15 per hour

In the UK, New research has revealed that disabled workers are more likely to be receiving lower pay than non-disabled workers with 7 in 10 disabled workers on less than £15 an hour, PCS reports.

National figures produced by the ONS were analysed by the TUC. They suggest that while around half of non-disabled workers earn less than £15 an hour, the figure rises to 7 in 10 for disabled workers.

The difference is especially pronounced in Wales (94 per cent), the North East (92 per cent) and Northern Ireland (83 per cent). London is reportedly the only region in the UK where fewer than half of disabled workers (46 per cent) receive less than £15 an hour. However, higher living costs in the capital mean workers will still struggle to make ends meet.

Disabled women employees are in a worse position; 70 per cent earn less than £15 an hour, compared to just 44 per cent of non-disabled men.

The TUC has stated that government action is needed to address this pay gap. It has called on ministers to bring in mandatory reporting for employers to compare how they pay non-disabled workers versus disabled workers.

In addition, the TUC has reportedly renewed its call for a £15 an hour minimum wage and to stamp out insecure work for disabled workers by banning zero hours contracts and bringing fire and rehire to an end.

Paul Nowak - TUC General Secretary - said, “Disabled workers are struggling to make ends meet in this cost-of-living crisis, with rocketing bills and soaring inflation.

“Every worker deserves a decent job on decent pay. Being disabled should not mean you’re paid any less or are stuck on worse terms and conditions.

“The government has done very little so far to support disabled workers. It’s time for ministers to increase the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible and put an end to insecure work by banning zero hours contracts.

“And they must also introduce mandatory disability pay gap reporting to shine a light on inequality at work. Without this, millions of disabled people face a future of lower pay and in-work poverty.”

The TUC disabled workers conference 2023 took place last week in Bournemouth. Speakers included shadow minister for disabled people Vicky Foxcroft MP, TUC President Maria Exall, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak and co-chairs of the TUC disabled workers' committee Dave Allan and Ann Galpin.

Source: PCS

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, New research has revealed that disabled workers are more likely to be receiving lower pay than non-disabled workers with 7 in 10 disabled workers on less than £15 an hour, PCS reports.

National figures produced by the ONS were analysed by the TUC. They suggest that while around half of non-disabled workers earn less than £15 an hour, the figure rises to 7 in 10 for disabled workers.

The difference is especially pronounced in Wales (94 per cent), the North East (92 per cent) and Northern Ireland (83 per cent). London is reportedly the only region in the UK where fewer than half of disabled workers (46 per cent) receive less than £15 an hour. However, higher living costs in the capital mean workers will still struggle to make ends meet.

Disabled women employees are in a worse position; 70 per cent earn less than £15 an hour, compared to just 44 per cent of non-disabled men.

The TUC has stated that government action is needed to address this pay gap. It has called on ministers to bring in mandatory reporting for employers to compare how they pay non-disabled workers versus disabled workers.

In addition, the TUC has reportedly renewed its call for a £15 an hour minimum wage and to stamp out insecure work for disabled workers by banning zero hours contracts and bringing fire and rehire to an end.

Paul Nowak - TUC General Secretary - said, “Disabled workers are struggling to make ends meet in this cost-of-living crisis, with rocketing bills and soaring inflation.

“Every worker deserves a decent job on decent pay. Being disabled should not mean you’re paid any less or are stuck on worse terms and conditions.

“The government has done very little so far to support disabled workers. It’s time for ministers to increase the minimum wage to £15 an hour as soon as possible and put an end to insecure work by banning zero hours contracts.

“And they must also introduce mandatory disability pay gap reporting to shine a light on inequality at work. Without this, millions of disabled people face a future of lower pay and in-work poverty.”

The TUC disabled workers conference 2023 took place last week in Bournemouth. Speakers included shadow minister for disabled people Vicky Foxcroft MP, TUC President Maria Exall, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak and co-chairs of the TUC disabled workers' committee Dave Allan and Ann Galpin.

Source: PCS

(Link and quotes via original reporting)