Close to half of all workers have borrowed to make ends meet
Almost half of all workers have borrowed money from banks, payday lenders or family and friends in order to cover the costs of their essentials over the past six months, a GMB Survey has found.
Findings from a poll of more than 2,300 workers across all sectors showed that 41 per cent had admitted to borrowing money to cover the costs of essentials. Meanwhile, close to 30 per cent said they were unable to afford necessities for themselves each month, while only 25 per cent were able to afford necessities for family and dependents each month.
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More than 60 per cent admitted the rise in energy costs had forced them to spend less on basic food items or other essentials.
Other respondents said they were unable to afford to have the heating on or to feed their families, while some said they were only eating every other day.
“We face the perfect storm of wages plummeting as prices shoot up,” said Gary Smith, GMB general secretary. “It’s a disaster for workers. People are suffering and this government is doing nothing.”
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