Part-time workers

[vetran]

My inclination is that ...
We are lucky that we have health care currently free at the point of use ...

There are no overt intentions to change it. There are however doubts about the companies suckling at the NHS's rather generous teat and the actual organisation of the NHS any attempts to change that are described as privatising the NHS.

[Protagoras]

We are lucky that we have health care free at the point of use.

My inclination is that ...
We are lucky that we have health care currently free at the point of use ...

[vetran]

I see 60 to over 70s stacking shelves in supermarkets. One had cancer and worked until the day before his death. I met another elderly chap with cancer who is also working so that he can afford some extra private treatment. This country has become a s*** hole.

You seen the plot of breaking Bad? Most bankruptcies in many countries are because of healthcare costs, the US is the worst. As fewer contribute there is less to spend.

We are lucky that we have health care free at the point of use.

[Paddy]

I see a lot more people in their 40s - 60s working in supermarkets now than 3 years ago.

I see 60 to over 70s stacking shelves in supermarkets. One had cancer and worked until the day before his death. I met another elderly chap with cancer who is also working so that he can afford some extra private treatment. This country has become a s*** hole.

[Chris Bryce]

Many are restricted to part time by large employers like the supermarkets who save employer NICs by employing 2 or 3 part timers instead of one full timer.

This

It's been a bugbear of mine for donkey's years. How TPTB can come after NICs via IR35 and nonchalantly leave this loophole in place beggar's belief.

[vetran]

And the employee also needs have to have some flexibility with their hours.

There is also a demographic problem. So the jobs that would be filled by young people, who want some flexible work for various reasons, aren't being filled because there aren't as many young people

I see a lot more people in their 40s - 60s working in supermarkets now than 3 years ago.

[SueEllen]

Many are restricted to part time by large employers like the supermarkets who save employer NICs by employing 2 or 3 part timers instead of one full timer.

And the employee also needs have to have some flexibility with their hours.

There is also a demographic problem. So the jobs that would be filled by young people, who want some flexible work for various reasons, aren't being filled because there aren't as many young people

[vetran]

Many are restricted to part time by large employers like the supermarkets who save employer NICs by employing 2 or 3 part timers instead of one full timer.

interesting that makes sense.

[Fraidycat]

Many are restricted to part time by large employers like the supermarkets who save employer NICs by employing 2 or 3 part timers instead of one full timer.

[Protagoras]

Perhaps the objective is to make everyone an economic slave with retirement reserved for the elite.

Meanwhile, the young and skilled know where their future is and don't need a return ticket.

I doubt that we'll see a rise in minimum wage in the 'budget' (or whatever its called).

[vetran]

Benefit claimants do part time work but don't aspire to more hours because it doesn't make financial sense because the benefits are worth more. If they don't do part time the benefits are cut.

The pay available should be worth more than that available on benefits is the simple answer. Cut living costs and raise minimum wage, stop the taxpayers subsidising multi nationals paying minimum wage then offshoring profits.

Over 50s not working probably has similar roots the wages are so low they might as well stay at home. By all means encourage better wages but don't penalise the economically inactive if they aren't a drain on society.

[dsc]

I love it when tories assume that all people who are not working / are working part time are lazy spongers and need to be forced to work.

Remember folks, just don't be poor and life is fine (also don't have disabilities / illnesses / be a carer for someone with disabilities / illnesses etc.).

[ladymuck]

That's definitely a step in the wrong direction. Penalising the poorer end of society who, as you say, have many genuine reasons for not working full time is lazy thinking at best and shows a distinct lack of understanding of the workplace.

Part-time work fills the gaps where a full-time role can't be justified or where spending 8 hours a day doing something just isn't an attractive proposition - which is where job share roles often come in. This will make it harder for companies to fill part-time roles and thus have the opposite effect to what he thinks he's going to achieve.

[Protagoras]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...-labour-supply

While presumably overlooking the actual reasons that people work part-time; some have no choice owing to illness or family commitments, others make a lifestyle choice to trade earnings for well-being etc.

I have long believed that there's no shortage of workers per se. There may be a shortage of fully-trained, experienced workers available at the rates on offer in the locations demanded. That's not the same thing.