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Almost 400,000 more children and 300,000 more pensioners are now living in poverty than in 2012/13 and very little progress has been made in reducing poverty among working-age adults, according to a new report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
UK Poverty 2017 examines how UK poverty has changed over the last 20 years, providing what it says is the most comprehensive and up to date picture of the challenges and prospects facing low income families in modern Britain.
The report charts how 20 years ago, a third of children lived in poverty; this fell to 27% in 2011/12. In 1994/95, 28% of pensioners lived in poverty, falling to 13% in 2011/12. These falls were achieved by higher employment rates; more generous support for families through tax credits; and extra help for poorer pensioners, says the report.
Following the financial crisis of 2007/8 poverty rates remained stable, it adds, but changes to welfare policy – especially since the 2015 Budget – have seen poverty rates rise.
The report says the squeeze on living standards risks storing up problems for the future, with people being caught in a ‘standstill generation’ trapped in in-work poverty and unable to progress. It calculates that 8 million live in families where at least one person is in work. One in eight workers, 3.7 million people, live in poverty and 40% of working-age adults with no qualifications are living in poverty. Many are struggling to afford a home, face rising costs and are falling behind with bills.
JRF says the Government must end the four-year freeze on working-age benefits and tax credits which it calls “the single biggest policy driver behind rising poverty”.
It also urged the Government to invest in a more ambitious house-building programme and says that the Government and businesses need to drive up adult skills.
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55/Redefined is excited to announce the successful acquisition of the assets of WM People, the powerhouse organisation behind National Older Workers Week and a leading provider of job board and inclusive talent solutions for people in mid-life.
Trading for 18 years, WM People incorporated Working Wise, Working Mums and Working Dads and National Older Workers Week, generating 2.5m job applications for major brands such as McDonalds, Next, Nespresso and Phoenix Group. This strategic acquisition not only strengthens 55/Redefined’s position in the UK market but also expands its capabilities, creating new opportunities to deliver age-inclusive solutions for both candidates and employers.
The acquisition will enable 55/Redefined to extend the reach of National Older Workers Week internationally, promoting the importance of age diversity across global markets. Through this expansion, 55/Redefined aims to set a new benchmark for empowering older workers, championing age-positive hiring practices, and ensuring inclusive workforce solutions for companies worldwide.
National Older Workers Week will retain its distinct identity and 55/Redefined will integrate all other WM People brands into its existing portfolio: Jobs-Redefined.co, Life-Redefined.co, and Work-Redefined.co.
This integration offers clients a consolidated suite of high-quality solutions and enhances candidate reach across sectors, providing job seekers in mid-life with more pathways to meaningful employment. Through the expanded portfolio, clients will benefit from increased candidate traffic and the ability to access a broader, more experienced talent pool dedicated to building dynamic and inclusive workplaces.
“WM People has built an exceptional legacy over the past 18 years, championing age diversity and inclusive employment,” says Lyndsey Simpson, CEO/Founder of 55/Redefined. “We are thrilled to continue their work by integrating these well-respected brands into our business, ensuring ongoing support for their clients and the hundreds of thousands of candidates they’ve impacted. Since we launched in 2021, we have celebrated National Older Workers Week alongside them, and it is with great pride that we take over the leadership of this initiative, expanding it further across global markets and building on its incredible momentum.”
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