‘I feel like I’m in poverty. I don’t do much outside of work other than survive’: In-work poverty and multiple employment in the UK

McBride, J.; Smith, A.

Abstract

This paper argues for the need to reconsider the changing nature of in-work poverty (IWP). In doing so, we present evidence not included in current debates or statistics, of people working in more than one job, yet still experiencing IWP. Using the dynamic theory of poverty and a qualitative approach, we identify various structural constraints that sustain cycles of IWP. This highlights the multi-dimensionalities of poverty, incorporating the temporalities, types and depths of IWP. Our evidence demonstrates how poverty is experienced and individualised and also how it is created and sustained through paid work, rather than being challenged by it.

Citation

McBride, J., & Smith, A. (2022). ‘I feel like I’m in poverty. I don’t do much outside of work other than survive’: In-work poverty and multiple employment in the UK. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 43(3), 1440-1466. https://doi.org/10.1177/2f0143831x211016054

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 8, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 2, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Deposit Date: Apr 13, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 7, 2022
• Journal: Economic and Industrial Democracy
• Print ISSN: 0143-831X
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7099
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 1440-1466
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2f0143831x211016054
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1277569