Number of workers living in poverty hits a record high

Economic recovery has failed to deliver for many families…

The number of workers living in poverty has hit a record high, according to a new report.

A huge 3.8m workers are now in poverty despite the recovery of the UK economy since the financial crisis and record employment levels, this was found by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

A massive 7.4m workers and 2.6m children are living in poverty despite coming from working households.

The report pointed to a housing “crisis”, weak wage rises and benefit cuts.

The pricing of houses was particularly evident, especially to those privately renting, the number of houses living in poverty in this sector has doubled to 4.5m in a decade.

More than half of those living in poverty in England were living in London and southern England, where rent is the highest.

The report comes about after increased pressure on the government to provide support to families who are just about managing.

Helen Barnard, head of analysis at the JRF, told Sky News: “The UK economy is not working for low-income families.”

“The economy has been growing since 2010 but during this time high rents, low wages and cuts to working-age benefits mean that many families, including working households, have actually seen their risk of poverty grow.”