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CAB - Sustained wage rises needed as "extremely encouraging" jobs figures published
National charity, Citizens Advice, has said that positive growth in the number of people in work needs to be matched by long-term increases in people's earnings.
New data published today by the Office for National Statistics show that the rate of wage growth is higher than the most recent inflation figures, marking a welcome departure from a long-term trend of prices rising faster than people's pay. The charity's Chief Executive warned that more needed to be done to help families access financial support with childcare costs.
Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, said:
“More people in work is extremely encouraging news for hard-pressed households. Working people will hope that consistently positive jobs numbers are matched by growth in their wages over the long-term.
“Despite a fall in self-employment and part-time work this quarter, the growth in this type of work since 2008 is a big shift in our labour market. Self-employment and flexible shifts are a good option for many people, but can lead to insecurity for others. People who work for themselves are just as likely to come to Citizens Advice for debt advice as those who are unemployed.
“With the economy now growing in strength, the Government’s welcome measures on childcare support need to fit with people’s changing work patterns. Our evidence shows three in four childcare providers offer no evening or weekend care, whilst up-front payments can be unaffordable for people whose hours change or who don’t know how much they will earn from week to week.”
Notes to editors:
- This year the Citizens Advice service celebrates its 75th anniversary. We’ve planned a year of activity running from January to December 2014. Contact the press office on 03000 231 080, or via email at press.office@citizensadvice.org.uk, to find out more.
- The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
- The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
- To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
- You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
- Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
- Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.