News

Wages have finally risen above the pre-economic crisis level for the first time.  This is good news, but it comes after a 12 year squeeze on living standards. The Office for National Statistics said average weekly wages, excluding bonuses, have reached a fresh peak in real terms. This means pay packets adjusted for inflation are worth more ...

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is an independent social change organisation working to solve UK poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s (JRF) annual report revealed that children have the highest poverty rate throughout the last 20 years. The 2019/20 edition of JRF’s annual report explains the nature and scale of poverty across the UK and how ...

A 60 day breathing space to help those in debt, first announced in June of last year has been finalised by the government. The new breathing space period will freeze interest, fees and enforcement for people in problem debt, with further protections for those in mental health crisis treatment. A 60-day breathing space period will ...

Universal credit has proved a difficult change to the benefits system.  Since it began, the government’s welfare reform has been beset with problems. Delaying the rollout will see £500m added to the overall cost. Universal Credit is the biggest change to the benefits system in a generation. By 2023, nearly seven million people will be ...

The UK services sector improved to its highest level since September 2018, January figures show. This was more than initially estimated. Recent survey results show the IHS/Markit CIPS purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 53.9 from 50.0 In December, coming in above the initial estimate of 52.9 and marking the highest level for 16 months. Tim ...

According to the recent report by The Financial Inclusion Alliance, some 6.5 million people are now part of Britain’s ‘working poor’. The report warns there are now more working people living in poverty than those who are unemployed.  More people in rent arrears who are in work than those who are unemployed and more children ...