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‘You end up with nothing’: The experience of being a statistic of ‘in-work poverty’ in the UK

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jo McBride

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This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Sage , 2018.

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Abstract

Set in the context of the recent unprecedented upsurge of in-work poverty (IWP) in the UK – which currently exceeds out of work poverty – this article presents an account of the realities of experiencing poverty and being employed. Central issues of low-pay, limited working hours, underemployment and constrained employment opportunities combine to generate severe financial complexities and challenges. This testimony, taken comparatively over a year, reveals the experiences of, not only IWP, but of deep poverty, and having insufficient wages to fulfil the basic essentials of nourishing food and adequate clothing. This article contributes to current academic and social policy debates around low-paid work, IWP, the use of foodbanks and underemployment. New dimensions are offered regarding worker vulnerabilities, given the recent growth of the IWP phenomenon.

Publication metadata

Author(s): McBride J, Smith A, Mbala M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Work, Employment and Society

Year: 2018

Volume: 32

Issue: 1

Pages: 210-218

Print publication date: 01/02/2018

Online publication date: 17/10/2017

Acceptance date: 07/06/2017

Date deposited: 05/12/2017

ISSN (print): 0950-0170

ISSN (electronic): 1469-8722

Publisher: Sage

URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017017728614

DOI: 10.1177/0950017017728614

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