Daily Junction.mobi portalFirst, increase the National Living Wage to the real Living Wage (£12.00/hour, £13.15 in London). This would lift 1 million workers out of poverty.
Second, ban zero-hours contracts and strengthen employment rights. Guarantee minimum hours, sick pay, and holiday pay for all workers. Reclassify gig workers as employees with full rights.
Third, build social housing and regulate rents. Build 100,000 social homes/year and introduce rent controls to cap rent at 30% of median income.
Fourth, provide universal free childcare. Extend 30 hours/week free childcare to all children from 6 months, year-round (not just term-time).
Fifth, reform Universal Credit. Reduce the taper rate to 40%, scrap the benefit cap, and pay from day one (not after five weeks).
14.3 million people in the UK live in poverty, with 8 million in working households. The National Living Wage (£11.44/hour) is below the real Living Wage (£12.00), leaving full-time workers £1,030-£3,280 short per year. 3.7 million workers are in insecure employment (zero-hours, agency, gig economy) with unpredictable income and no rights. Real wages have grown just 0.3%/year since 2008, the worst performance in 200 years. Housing costs consume 40-50% of income for low-wage workers, up from 25% in 2000. The promise that work guarantees dignity and security has been broken. The question is whether we have the political courage to rebuild it.