Low-paid workers are Britain's 'invisible poor'
Around five million people have become Britain's "invisible" poor, the National Consumer Council (NCC) said today.According to a new report from the body, workers in low-paid jobs have become increasingly passed-over by the government, which has instead concentrated on helping other potentially vulnerable groups such as pensioners and young families.The workers were found to be working long shifts, irregular hours and even multiple jobs to make ends meet.Report author Nicola O'Reilly said: "There are a lot of assumptions on the part of society and the government that this group is all right because it has no ties. Like a duck on water, they look fine on the surface, but there is a lot going on underneath just to stay still. "If you are continually being ground down like that, your aspirations are going to evaporate."She added: "Political leaders talk of hard-working families or pensioners or child poverty all those groups need help, but these people, who might be cleaning our offices, serving our children school dinners, or doing odd jobs, need recognition too."
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