Informal Work

[Mitch]

'Need not greed' motivates people to work informally


The practice of people taking 'cash-in-hand' low-paid jobs or not declaring work while on benefits is being used as a last resort response to acute poverty or crises according to a new report funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The report demonstrates how informal work is often a response to poverty and to times of crisis such as family breakdown. It shows how low benefit rates, low wages and rules which limit the hours some groups can work are the drivers for most informal work for those who took part in the study. In addition, the research highlights how childcare or health problems can act as barriers to formal work.

Related link:
www.jrf.org.uk/pressroom/releases/160606.asp

"Some people out there think because you get these benefits you are comfortable; which is not the case. I still struggle to pay my bills. Finding informal work is a struggle for survival."


Also www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/9781861348937.pdf

[michele cryer]

It's good to know that the Rowntree organisation is still looking into these situations, and reporting on them...about time the Government did something to improve it tho!

[Mitch]

admin said:

It's good to know that the Rowntree organisation is still looking into these situations, and reporting on them...about time the Government did something to improve it tho!

;D

It's government policy that's pushing people into it, and there's a large number of struggling small businesses round here looking to cut costs wherever they can - government creates that climate - I'd be much more critical of government policy than the Rowntree Foundation - not sure of their funding sources, but they are a charity and work closely with universities which have included the London School of Ecoonomics and Manchester University - so they have a level of independence (from government) in their reports - giving them a bit of an edge.

[michele cryer]

We learned a little about the Rowntree family and others when studying Social Policy the other year...philanthropist families originally providing good quality housing for their workers...as you said, autonomous from the Government, and much more worthy of our praise.