New official statistics show working age poverty in Wales has risen, despite employment growth

TUC analysis of new official poverty figures published today (Thursday) has found that working age poverty in Wales has increased since 2010/11, despite regional unemployment falling significantly.

The proportion of working age people living in poverty was 22% in 2010/11, and 24% in 2016/17, according to today’s new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The rise comes despite unemployment in Wales falling from 7.7% in 2011 to 4.8% in 2017.

Martin Mansfield, General Secretary of the Wales TUC said:

“Most people would assume that if you work hard, you should earn enough to make ends meet – but that’s simply not the case for thousands of families right throughout Wales who are living in poverty.

“The reality for lots of people in this situation is not being able to afford essentials like food, clothes and utilities. And unless the UK Government reverses their planned cuts to universal credit, things will get much worse.

“Working people in Wales desperately need fair work. This means cracking down on illegal employment practices and a step change in the number of employers working with trade unions to drive up the quality of work available in Wales.”

ENDS

Wales TUC contact:

Nisreen Mansour

NAMansour@tuc.org.uk

029 2034 7010 / 07917 413 705