Rise of part-timers noted by government

22/07/2009

Nearly a million people have had to take on part-time work because they have been unable to find full-time employment in the recession, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In the three months to May, 927,999 people reported that they took on temporary jobs because they could not find work elsewhere.

ONS figures released last week showed that 2.38 million people were unemployed in the UK in the three months to May.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said that the new statistics on part-time work showed the individuals who were "the masked tragedies of the recession".

He added: "These people won't be showing up in the spiralling unemployment figures but the economic slowdown and their subsequent move into part-time work will have forced many of these families to rein in their spending dramatically."

A number of companies, including household names like British Airways, have asked staff to either switch to part-time work or take unpaid leave, in an effort to cut costs during the recession.

Kevin Still, EuroDebt director, commented: "Loss of income remains the number one reason for asking for debt management help. EuroDebt’s own analysis reveals that nearly one in three people need urgent help as a result of 'loss of income'.

"The percentage has risen from the last analysis we undertook for the six months to May 2009. With a primary income earner moving to reduced hours and probably pay rates there is a need to budget very prudently, this often means that ensuring priority payments are met, cutting back housekeeping and renegotiating payment arrangements with non-priority creditors like credit card and unsecured personal loan providers.

"This may only be for a transitional period, but this could run for over 12 months."

Tags; Job loss,

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