Karen and Nick Evans

Mastodon:

[IPPR @IPPR]

Workers without fixed hours who work 20–30 hours a week are 73% more likely to be behind on bills than those with guaranteed hours.

@evansjoseph_ writes for @LabourList on why they should be entitled to a contract reflecting the hours they actually work.

https://t.co/q4oNtenbhL

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

You can find the full briefing here: https://t.co/fjV3zyzrWp

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

To find out more, read my piece in LabourList: https://t.co/GIcRLyexgS

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

A threshold of 8 to 20 hours would exclude these workers

That’s why we think the government should raise the threshold to 30 hours

This simple change could help thousands more workers access the stable hours, reliable income and financial security that their hard work deserves

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

IPPR analysis found this risks excluding many of the workers who would benefit most from the new right

People on contracts without fixed hours who work between 20 and 30 hours a week are 73% more likely to be behind on bills than comparable workers on fixed-hours contracts

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

The government is deciding how to implement the new right

Ministers are deciding where to set the ‘low hours threshold’ – essentially a cap on the number of workers who will qualify, based on their contracted hours

They’re planning to set the threshold between 8 and 20 hours

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

To ban exploitative contracts, the government is introducing a new right to guaranteed hours

The aim is simple: if someone regularly works beyond their contracted hours, their employer has to offer them a contract that reflects the hours they actually work – if they want one

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

The Prime Minister has pledged his government will create ‘breathing space’ for British people

This policy will deliver that – stabilising people’s hours, giving them predictable incomes and allowing them to financially plan for the future

https://t.co/ha7UG1tjY8

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

The policy is hugely popular: more than three-quarters of the public want the government to ban them

Previous governments have seemed unable – or unwilling – to do anything about it, but under this administration we’re finally getting action

https://t.co/pz9gjHirqv

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

Labour pledged to ban exploitative zero-hour contracts and passed new legislation – the Employment Rights Act – to deliver this

These contracts are a blight on the UK’s labour market – too many people don’t know what they'll earn from week to week

https://t.co/1Oyrtg3lgT

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

Coverage of the government’s plan to ban exploitative zero hours contracts has been almost completely negative, focusing on potential costs to businesses

But what about the argument in favour?

New @IPPR research outlines why the policy is so important, and how to deliver it

[IPPR @IPPR]

🕐️ NEW RESEARCH: Insecure hours mean insecure incomes, making it harder to budget, pay bills and plan ahead.

Our latest research shows why the government’s new guaranteed-hours right should cover workers contracted for up to 30 hours who regularly work more.

https://t.co/o7G174adwW

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

A great example of how cooperative labour market institutions - collective bargaining, tripartite policymaking, codetermination - can actually support stronger technology adoption (and without hurting workers' income or security).

[IPPR @IPPR]

Up to 8 million jobs in the UK are exposed to AI. But a jobs apocalypse is not inevitable. A new generation of workers' rights can protect workers and ensure everyone benefits from this new technology.

@evansjoseph_ explains 👇

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

I wrote for @CityAM about why, despite the cost pressures on businesses, the minimum wage remains a genuine economic policy success - a rare breed in modern Britain

https://t.co/nL4BM7ebTS

[IPPR @IPPR]

If geopolitics triggers another energy price shock, relying on interest rates alone to bring down inflation could leave the economy “too cold for too long”. @guardian's Heather Stewart cites @evansjoseph_ & @carsjung's research 👇
https://t.co/6kg9ybrXJi

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

Look out for forthcoming @IPPR work on how to empower workers to shape how AI affects their working lives - and get in touch if you're interested / already thinking about this!

Graph source: https://t.co/1rI5jzEb6h

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

Clear example of AI deployment making work more demanding, rather than taking workers' jobs

In other words, "degrading" work rather than "displacing" it

This isn't just a US thing - about 5x more UK workers say AI is making their jobs worse than those who say AI took their job

[IPPR @IPPR]

The Employment Rights Act isn’t just good for workers - it’s good for the economy. @evansjoseph_ explains the wider benefits for businesses and society on @LBCNews 👇

[Joseph Evans @evansjoseph_]

Really helpful thread on the Bank of England's interest rate decision from IPPR's senior economist @WillEllisEcon

Particularly interesting on how economic data compares to expectations - inflation is falling and unemployment is rising faster than the Bank or OBR expected