The variety of over-50s working in zero-hours contracts has surged to a report excessive, new information has proven.
In lower than a decade, the variety of individuals aged 50 and over on zero hours contracts has doubled to almost 300,000, in keeping with evaluation of official information by Relaxation Much less, an internet site for older jobseekers.
The over 50s now account for greater than 1 / 4 of all zero hours contract staff. From July to September 2022, the full was 296,000 – the best quantity since information started in 2013.
It comes as Rishi Sunak plans to encourage older staff to return to employment with a “midlife MoT” after a surge in early retirement in the course of the pandemic triggered a significant labour scarcity.
Most of the older staff who stop did so earlier than the price of residing disaster. Surging prices have introduced report strain on family budgets, forcing many staff to complement their earnings with zero hours contract work.
Stuart Lewis, chief govt of Relaxation Much less, warned that some older staff are being compelled into insecure employment due to age discrimination from employers.
He added: “We all know of many people who’ve turned to zero hours contracts as they’ve been unable to discover a extra everlasting or structured kind of labor as a consequence of age discrimination or a scarcity of office flexibility.
“Others are juggling zero hours contracts alongside different part-time roles to high up working hours to make ends meet amidst double digit inflation.”
For the reason that finish of 2013, the variety of individuals aged 50-64 engaged on zero hours contracts has jumped by 108pc to hit 223,000. This age group now accounts for the second largest variety of zero hours contracts, after 16 to 24-year-olds.
The tempo of progress within the 50 to 64 age group was the quickest throughout all generations and far-outstripped the 39pc improve amongst these aged 25 to 34 – which was the second largest group in 2013.
Amongst these aged 65 and above, the variety of individuals engaged on zero hours contracts jumped by 75pc to 73,000.
Throughout the UK, the variety of individuals engaged on zero hours contracts has surged from 585,000 on the finish of 2013 to 1.45 million, a 79pc improve.