Marking Challenge Poverty week: experiences of in-work poverty

Written by Georgina Bowyer, UKSPF Grants Manager with contributions from Megan Wilson, Enable (part of the All in Edinburgh consortium) and Naina Minhas, Networking Key Services  

Growing levels of in-work poverty have been well documented at a national level.  A result of wage stagnation and rising cost-of-living, work is sadly no longer a guaranteed route out of poverty.  JRF’s UK Poverty report earlier this year showed that during 2021/22, 64% of working-age adults in poverty were living in a household where at least one adult is in work.

The rise of in-work poverty is a theme that rings true for local organisations supporting individuals in Edinburgh and is a topic worthy of note this Challenge Poverty Week in line with today’s theme of affordable incomes.  

Employability services in Edinburgh exist not only to support those out of work, but to help those who are looking to progress in work or find better work.  Support can be given to explore training and education opportunities, to engage with current employers, to polish CVs and to navigate and plan for future options.  Two local organisations spoke to us about a recent increase in those seeking in-work support. 

The All in Edinburgh consortium is the city’s core employability provision for those with long-term health conditions or disabilities.  They have seen a significant increase in employed Edinburgh residents seeking support which has accelerated over the past two years.  The increase is largely due to the rising cost of living, as many have found that they require better pay in order to sustain themselves, whilst others are looking for increased job security in permanent roles in favour of zero-hour contracts.  As a result of covid, people have also become more aware of the benefits of home working and are keen to seek roles that offer a hybrid approach.   

Those seeking support from All in Edinburgh come from a variety of sectors including retail, hospitality and administration.  The consortium works closely with employers to explore the benefits of inclusive recruitment, permanent contracts and upskilling their workforces.  Staff are able to help facilitate reasonable adjustments such as hybrid working, which can be hugely beneficial to people, helping them to overcome barriers caused by disability, childcare and travel. 

Similarly, Networking Key Services (NKS), an organisation supporting the South-East Asian community in Edinburgh, has seen in an increase in clients requesting in-work support.  NKS has spent nearly four decades working with South Asian communities in Edinburgh, focusing on health, welfare, and empowerment. Over the past two years, significant strides have been made in addressing unemployment, poverty, and the skills gap, particularly by offering upskilling and job market accessibility to those from ethnic minority backgrounds.  

The work of NKS has revealed how in-work poverty is exacerbated by a combination of factors, including discrimination, low wages, and unsustainable working conditions. Ethnic minorities, particularly those from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, face unique challenges. Many of those who secure employment, leave quickly due to high workload, low wages and difficult working environments. This is often compounded by a sense of exclusion, with individuals feeling less confident to advocate for better conditions. 

For individuals coming to NKS, finding appropriate work is often a challenge, with many ending up in insecure short-term jobs.  Women, who make up around 50% of those seeking support, often find re-entering the job market particularly challenging, especially those with limited digital literacy or language and communication barriers.  The majority of women supported by NKS are interested in roles within childcare or catering, but face additional barriers such as outdated skills, lack of qualifications, and unfamiliarity with the current job market and work culture.  They mainly look for part-time and flexible work.  NKS helps by offering training, CV writing assistance, and interview coaching, as well as connecting individuals to suitable job opportunities. 

Some barriers are more difficult to overcome and NKS have identified that the devaluation of overseas qualifications and employers’ reluctance to sponsor visas for highly qualified individuals as ongoing challenges. NKS argue that structural changes are needed, including policies that address these barriers and promote inclusive hiring practices, alongside greater recognition of international qualifications. NKS remains committed to supporting South Asian communities but believes that a strategic focus on tackling these systemic issues is essential for long-term change. 

Both All in Edinburgh and Networking Key Services are able to support individuals in-work in Edinburgh through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a three-year programme of funding from UK Government which is due to end in March 2025.  UKSPF funding is distributed through local authorities and the UKSPF Edinburgh programme of work is managed by Capital City Partnership.  We are glad to add our support to Challenge Poverty Week by highlighting some of the current issues relevant to the services and communities in our city.   

You can find out more about the work supported by UKSPF in Edinburgh here. 

You can get involved with Challenge Poverty Week here. 

To read more about All in Edinburgh click here. 

To read more about Networking Key Services click here.