The Salary Calculator

Your Guide to Keeping Your Side Hustle HMRC Compliant 

by Madaline Dunn

Whether it’s selling vintage shoes or taking on tutoring clients, so-called side hustles have exploded in recent years. In fact, last year, Sage research found that almost half of Brits now have a second income stream.

But, as more people enter the online entrepreneurial pipeline, it’s important to have a clear picture of compliance to keep the taxman from knocking. This week at The Salary Calculator, we’ll explain:

• What’s driving the rise in people selling goods & services online?
• What’s the difference between a side hustle and reselling?
• What are HMRC’s new digital platform reporting requirements?
• What’s happening to the Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) reporting threshold?
• Will the allowance threshold increase?
• How will Making Tax Digital affect side hustles?
• Tips and tools to help you stay compliant

What’s driving the rise in side hustles?

Side hustles bounced into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic as the world shifted online and companies cut back on jobs and furloughed staff. And amidst an ongoing cost of living crisis, employment insecurity and a looming recession, the side hustle trend has continued as workers eye new avenues to supplement their income — with varying degrees of success.

According to a 2024 Adobe Express poll of 1,500 Brits, 73% make up to £500 each month from their side hustle, while 20% make over £1,000.

But money isn’t the only driving force behind this rising trend. The research found that 22% of those seeking side hustles are doing so in pursuit of greater flexibility in their work schedule.

The growth of the second-hand market has buoyed growth, too. Nearly 30 million UK adults shopped online for pre-loved items in 2024. Accommodating this demand, 23.8 million Brits turned to online second-hand selling platforms last year, earning an average of £146 a month.

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“There’s been a big increase in the secondary selling of technology”

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The second-hand tech market, in particular, is booming.

“What we’ve seen is that — certainly around smart tech — there’s been a big increase in the secondary selling of technology,” said Scott Butler, executive director of the non-profit group Material Focus. Butler explained that consumer attitudes are changing, with more emphasis placed on affordability over upgrades.

Indeed, in 2023, technology retailer Currys found that one in three Brits were likely to buy second-hand tech, with pre-used electronics exceeding pre-loved clothes in popularity.

But alongside a growing appetite for affordable goods, environmental concerns are also a key driver of this trend. Currys’ research found that 75% of those polled were worried about e-waste — one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world.

And with the average household hiding around 30 unused electrical items in so-called “drawers of doom,” there’s plenty of money to be made. In fact, Material Focus found that households could cash in between £1,304 and £6,331 by selling unwanted items through reselling platforms.

What’s the difference between a side hustle and reselling?

But with more Brits looking to make a little cash on the side and pursue their passions, it’s important to understand how this work is categorised in the eyes of HMRC — because there are potential tax implications.

And with misleading “side hustle tax” headlines floating around, there’s been a fair amount of confusion.

Luckily, HMRC has released guidance to clarify who needs to pay what and how.

It all boils down to whether or not you’re trading. If you’ve got an old pair of shoes that never quite fit kicking about in the back of your wardrobe and you’re looking to shift them, this isn’t trading. So, you don’t need to register for self-assessment or pay tax (unless an item exceeds £6,000, in which case you’ll need to pay capital gains tax.)

However, regularly making necklaces to sell online, buying vintage items to resell for a higher price, or upcycling items for resale would be considered trading. This also applies to dog-walking, content creation, gardening and similar activities.

If you earn £1,000 or less from these activities, you won’t need to declare or pay tax, but if you exceed this amount, you’ll have to set up as a sole trader and pay tax via Self-Assessment. 

What are HMRC’s new digital platform reporting requirements?

So, what was all the “side hustle tax” hullabaloo, I hear you ask? Well, the confusion came from HMRC’s announcement that from January 2025, online platforms like eBay, Vinted, and Airbnb would have to share data on platform sellers, including income data.

As the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group outlined, this means that if online sellers have failed to pay what they owe, HMRC is “more likely to find out about it,” and platforms may ask more questions when users sign up to ensure that they’re HMRC-aligned.

However, it’s worth noting that if you make fewer than 30 sales of goods in a year and receive less than 2,000 euros (roughly £1,700), a platform won’t report your details.

If a platform fails to follow the new rules, however, there are various financial penalties.

What’s happening to the Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) reporting threshold?

One change that will eventually affect sellers more directly is the recently announced plan to increase the Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) reporting threshold.

Under the new plans — set to come into effect within this parliament — the Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) reporting threshold for trading income will increase from £1,000 to £3,000.

According to HMRC, this will benefit “around 300,000 taxpayers,” with an estimated 90,000 no longer needing to pay tax with no reason to report their trading income to HMRC. Those who do will pay their tax through a new online service — although further details about this service are yet to be announced.

Helen Christopher, chartered accountant and founder of Beansprout, said for many, this is good news, reducing the compliance burden and saving both time and money for those running very small businesses or hobbyist activities.

“From an HMRC perspective, this change frees up resources to focus on larger or higher-risk cases and aligns with their longer-term ambition to simplify tax reporting and roll out more digital services under Making Tax Digital,” added Christopher.

Will the allowance threshold change? 

Although there have been some reports that the allowance threshold is increasing to £3,000, this isn’t the case. However, some argue that it should be.

One joint study from Simply Business and The Federation of Small Businesses recommended that the tax-free trading allowance be doubled to £2,000 and rebranded as the “Side Hustle Allowance” to encourage entrepreneurship in the UK.

More broadly, with the government’s renewed focus on the circular economy, some wonder whether tax policy could be used to encourage progress in this area.

Indeed, Butler highlighted the school of thought that questions whether second-hand goods should be taxed again after a series of taxes have already been paid by producers, retailers and consumers the first time around.

“If you look at it from an environmental perspective and a resource use perspective, that is a potential lever that you could use to promote a more circular economy through making it less burdensome,” commented Butler.

He added that there are also those who advocate for VAT exemptions for repair services to make them more affordable and encourage uptake. This kind of reduced taxation has already been implemented for repairs for different products across Sweden, Austria, and the Netherlands.

How will Making Tax Digital affect online sellers? 

Another incoming tax administration strategy set to affect online sellers and side hustlers is Making Tax Digital.

From April 2026, sole traders and landlords earning £50,000 will be required to keep digital records, use MTD-compatible software and submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC.

By April 2027, this will apply to those with qualifying income above £30,000, and from April 2028, those with £20,000 in qualifying income will enter the compliance bracket.

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“The changes will inevitably feel daunting, overwhelming, and costly for many online sellers and small business owners”

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Christopher described the Making Tax Digital strategy as a “fundamental shift towards a real-time, digital-first tax system, designed to modernise the UK’s tax processes and increase transparency.”

The impact that these changes will have remains to be seen, but some have doubts about their effectiveness.

“Until MTD ITSA fully hits in 2026, I don’t think we can completely foresee how it’s going to go, but I struggle to see how forcing people onto software that struggle with technology makes anything simpler,” commented Beth Jackson, Owner of 2 Sisters Accounting, adding: “I do hope much like when RTI was initially introduced, any penalty schemes will be incredibly lenient while people get to grips with the system.”

Christopher shared a similar sentiment. “While the intention is to streamline processes and improve tax compliance, the changes will inevitably feel daunting, overwhelming, and costly for many online sellers and small business owners — especially those who manage their finances informally or who have only recently started side businesses.”

That said, Christopher added that it also serves as an opportunity to “take greater control of your business finances,” creating more clarity around income and expenses, better forecasting of tax bills throughout the year and fewer year-end surprises.

Tips and tools for keeping compliant 

As with any business, big, small, or just starting out, there are always moving parts, so it’s key to keep on top of things and establish good habits.

“Building strong financial habits now can make the difference between a hobby and a thriving, scalable business in the future,” Christopher explained.

This includes careful record-keeping of income and expenses, whether through accounting apps or spreadsheets.

“The key thing for all businesses is to make sure you are saving your tax as you earn the money to avoid spending HMRC’s money, especially if you’re VAT registered,” added Jackson. “As an online seller, using tools like Linkmybooks to connect with Xero or Freeagent to track your profit levels and make sure you have the appropriate tax saved can make the world of difference in remaining profitable!”

It’s also important to understand different tax terms, for example gross income vs net profit, as well as HMRC’s other rules and regulations.

“Always check your total financial position,” Christopher noted, adding that if you have employment income, pensions, rental income, dividends, or other sources, you may still need to complete a tax return, even if your side business earns under the reporting threshold.

And, when things feel confusing, professional advice can help clear things up.

“Tax rules can be complex, and everyone’s situation is different. Speaking to an accountant or adviser early can save money, reduce stress, and help you get it right from the start,” said Christopher.

Tags: income tax, Jobs, Self Assessment, side hustle

​​Assessing the impact of AI on the job landscape 

by Madaline Dunn

For many, it feels like ChatGPT came out of nowhere, only to completely shift day-to-day living. OpenAI launched its language model-based chatbot back on November 30, 2022, and in the short amount of time it’s been out, it’s had a BIG impact, and competitors have since come onto the scene with their respective offerings.

But, what does it all mean? AI experts are warning of danger ahead, and already, companies like IBM and BT have signalled that they will be making AI-related job cuts.

In all the hubbub, it can be difficult to know where you stand, so in this week’s article, we’ll explore the following:

• The potential scale of impact on jobs
• How people from the world of work are reacting
• How is the government dealing with the potential threat

The scale of the issue and impact

When listening to the experts, it seems as though the advancement of AI is unavoidable and inescapable, and it will undoubtedly have a presence in our lives. But how will it impact the world of work?

According to a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs early this year, AI could potentially replace a quarter of work tasks in the US and Europe – however, it will impact sectors differently.

While 46% of tasks in administration and 44% in legal professions could be replaced by automation, for construction, the figure stands at 6%.

It’s also worth noting that this displacement will also likely be experienced differently for men and women, with women dominating in clerical work. Indeed, research shows that more than twice the share of female employment could be affected.

High-income economies are also more likely to be affected, at a rate of 5.5 per cent, versus 0.4 per cent in low-income economies. That said, experts say that many places aren’t yet prepared for the disruption ahead. Some figures show that over 50 million Chinese workers will require retraining, while in the US, this figure stands at 11.5 million.

It’s also important to note that forecasts vary widely, too, and while there have been a number of potentially catastrophic forecasts, including from Cred CEO Kunal Shah, who recently warned that 90% of people could lose their jobs in the next ten years, the likes of Forrester predict that generative AI will “influence 4.5 times more jobs than it replaces.”

Responses from the world of work

But how do those in the workforce feel about AI? It’s really quite mixed.

According to some research, 36% feel that AI will make them feel more stressed, while 37% are concerned it will mean their work is less accurate. Meanwhile, 38% shared data privacy concerns.

Elsewhere, Censuswide, on behalf of Visier, found that those already using AI in the workplace saved around 1.55 hours a day – or 390 hours a year and 40 per cent think it will enhance their work-life balance.

Further to this, around 31 per cent believe it can help close the skills gap in the UK. This is huge, considering that 73% continue to report skills gaps, only 11% of UK workers have digital skills and 54% of organisations don’t have specific skills initiatives in place for specific talent pools. 67%, meanwhile, believe that developing AI skills will be important for their future career growth.

Speaking about this, Ben Harris, Director UK MD at Visier, said: “The workplace has been disrupted by rapid innovation and everyone has a role to play in its smooth adoption. With skills gaps widening across the UK, AI can alleviate a wide range of pain points. But, with opportunity comes responsibility.”

In order to survive and thrive in the new world of AI, some have suggested that workers learn how to code, become more data literate, and hone in skills that are AI-proof, such as communication, collaboration and adaptability skills. A central focus for people in this new world of work will also be becoming lifelong learners.

How is the government dealing with the potential threat?

Considering opinions are so divided, and the technology will reshape the world we live in so dramatically, you might be wondering what the government plans- on doing to regulate it and keep things in check. There’s also a lot of support for regulation, with almost 60% of British people wanting regulation to be introduced for AI in the workplace, according to Prospect Trade Union.

The government set out the need to legislate in an AI white paper earlier this year, but has been urged to speed things up due to how quickly AI is evolving.

Recently, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee chair and Conservative MP Greg Clark said: “If there isn’t legislation passed in this session, then assuming the election is in late 2024, the earliest that new legislation can reach the statute book is mid to late 2025.”

Clark pointed out that, by then, two years will have passed, by which time, AI will have continued to be deployed and developed without the “statutory means to govern it.”

“And other jurisdictions such as the EU or the US will be proceeding themselves, and there is a danger that what has become embedded in Europe and in the US could become the default means of regulation, even if we had a better model in mind. That’s another reason for getting on with it.”

Elsewhere, the TUC recently launched an AI taskforce, bringing together leading specialists in law, technology, politics, HR and the voluntary sector for legal protections for both employers and workers. It reportedly aims to publish an expert-drafted AI and Employment Bill early in 2024 and will also lobby to have it incorporated into UK law.

The taskforce says that the UK is “way behind the curve” on the regulation of AI, and outlines that AI capabilities, left unchecked, could result in “greater discrimination, unfairness and exploitation at work across the economy.”

It appears there’s still a long way to go when it comes to implementing regulation around AI and while the UK plans to hold an AI Safety Summit in November, that’s still quite some way off.

Tags: AI, Economy, employment, Jobs, work

The rise of the side hustle 

by Madaline Dunn

There has been an exponential increase in the number of people pursuing a side hustle in the UK in recent years. Freelancing sites like PeoplePerHour, for example, have seen astronomical growth in the number of people signing up. Similarly, the number of people using Vinted and other selling platforms has also skyrocketed. Whether it’s to earn a bit of extra cash when money is tight or to pursue passion projects on the side, there are so many reasons why people are getting into the entrepreneurial spirit.

Interestingly, while you might think that working an extra job on the side of your main gig might make you feel worn out, studies have shown that having something on the side can actually lead to employees feeling more fulfiled.

That said, it’s important to note that while a side hustle can help top up your monthly wages and build your business, there are some important details to bear in mind. At The Salary Calculator, we’ll walk you through the following:

• Why more and more people are pursuing a side hustle
• The tax implications of adopting a side hustle
• How to protect yourself, business and employment when side hustling

More people join the side hustle revolution

Some call it the ‘Golden Age of Entrepreneurialism”; others the “Rise of the Side Hustle,” but one thing is for sure, more and more people are taking on extra work alongside their primary job. Whether a second job or a side project, a recent Barclaycard survey, found one in 12 people in the U.K. now has a side hustle, the equivalent of 6.49 million people.

A number of factors are fueling the surge, including the development of various technological tools and platforms, increased flexible working arrangements, and the rising cost of living. According to Aviva, some of the most popular forms of side hustling include selling handmade products, art and photography, and freelancing. Many are also increasingly using social media as a platform through which they can earn money.

The tax implications

If you’re taking on work alongside your main employment, you will need to declare your earnings with HMRC, and you’re also responsible for paying tax on any earnings you make. The only exception to this is if you earn less than £1,000, which is the threshold allowance of additional income outside of regular employment.

So, how do you go about this? Well, first, you’ll need to register your side hustle with HMRC and file a Self Assessment tax return. This needs to be done every year by 31st January, which is also the deadline for paying anything you owe. To make sure you have everything in order to report your earnings, be sure to keep copies of your invoices, bank statements and receipts.

While for the time being, those working a side hustle only have to submit an annual Self Assessment tax return, and payment on account on July 31st, HMRC is introducing Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Through this new initiative, those earning money through a side hustle will have to submit quarterly returns, and a single final declaration for all income on January 31st. While this was due to be introduced in April 2024, this is now being pushed back and is launching in two phases:

• April 2026 for those earning over £50,000, and
• April 2027 for those earning over £30,000.

It’s always good to make sure you’re keeping track of your finances and putting money aside each month to pay your tax bill, so you’re not left with a big bill at the end of the year and unsure of how to tackle it. To figure out the exact tax implications of your side hustle alongside your full-time employment, head over here.

When you register with HMRC, you’ll also have to decide how you’re registering, whether that’s as:

• A sole trader
• A partnership, or
• As a limited company

If this all sounds like a headache, it could be work speaking to a tax advisor to get expert insights on the tax implications. Likewise, there are accounting platforms that can help make dealing with taxes a bit easier. Xero, Sage and QuickBooks are some of the most popular.

Safeguard your side hustle

When it comes to earning extra income on the side of your main job, often safeguarding your business can be a bit of a second thought. However, it’s key to make sure that you’re protected and doing everything above board, because side hustling can be potentially risky without taking the above into consideration.

First of all, check your employment contract, as some companies require you to disclose business activity outside of your day job. More often than not, if your business operates outside of your working hours, is not distracting you from your full-time job and you’re not operating in competition with your employer’s business, your employer will give your side hustle the green light.

In addition to this, it’s essential you find out the obligations for your industry, as you might require a licence and it’s also worth looking into whether your business could benefit from insurance. Some options include:

• Public liability insurance, which applies when someone gets injured or incurs a financial loss, and holds your business responsible,
• Professional indemnity insurance, which protects you if a client loses money as a result of bad advice, services, or designs,
• Employers’ liability insurance, which only really applies if you choose to develop your business and take on staff to assist you with your work and is a legal requirement.

Tags: Economy, Jobs, self employment, side hustle, two jobs

How the cost of living crisis is affecting the job landscape

by Madaline Dunn

The ongoing cost of living crisis appears to be an endless one. Living standards face their largest fall since the mid-1950s. Millions are being faced with dire financial situations and around 1.3 million are confronted by “absolute poverty.” As the situation worsens, many are desperately searching for a solution, and some are looking toward switching jobs as the answer. 

That said, some experts are warning that the grass is always greener on the other side, and that while workers may be lured in by higher-paying salaries, switching now might hurt them in the long run. 

At the Salary Calculator, we’ll explore:

• How the cost of living crisis is affecting jobs
• How switching jobs may benefit you
• What to watch out for when thinking of exploring a new position

Cost of living crisis encourages job switches

Research conducted by Totaljobs has found that more and more people are looking for new job opportunities to help support them through their financial woes caused by the cost of living crisis. The UK job found that workers’ salaries are increasingly squeezed, and 47% are now living from payslip to payslip. 

Despite the ongoing financial challenge faced by many, nearly half (48%) have not received a pay rise, and those who did (42%) saw a rise that failed to meet the current rate of inflation. This has pushed 17% of workers to take on another job to supplement their income; meanwhile, 30% are taking on additional shifts. If you are one of the people thinking about taking on a second job, at The Salary Calculator, we can help you calculate your total take-home, just head over here.

For many, though, the crisis is pushing them to look further afield. Now, nearly 40% (37%) are looking to change lanes and find a new job. Those who were classified as essential workers were twice as likely to have to leave their jobs and move into a new sector due to higher wages. 

Commenting on the figures, Jon Wilson, CEO of Totaljobs, said that key workers were those who suffered most, despite the fact society “couldn’t have functioned without them” during the course of the pandemic. “This research illustrates that everyone is feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living – yet it is disproportionately felt by our key workers – to the extent that some are looking to move jobs for one that provides them with more financial security.”

Research from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has also uncovered that nearly one in five employees intends to leave their current jobs and find a new role within the next year. A further 16 per cent plan to leave the workforce on a temporary or permanent basis. Similarly to Totaljobs, the research, which considered responses from over 2,000 people in the UK, found that the main motivation for switching job roles was pay (72%).

The benefits of making the change 

Research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last year, revealed that those who switched jobs saw a pay increase of 6.6%. That said, the figures show that the size of the rise was dependent on sector and experience. 

Pay growth for those in the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors hit 21%, meanwhile, for those working in information and communications, the increase was one percent lower (20%). While employees working in these sectors saw significant salary growth, the research showed that the increase was even higher for those who moved to a new industry; overall median earnings growth in this scenario stood at 2.1 percentage points higher. 

For those with more years of experience within their sector, the benefits of a switch were also greater, with average earning growth in this bracket at just over 16%.

If you’re considering switching jobs, head over to this page to compare your current salary with the salary offered by a potential new job.

What do the experts say?

While there are certainly financial benefits to be had from a job switch, it’s important to note that it’s not all sunshine and roses. Some experts have said that switching jobs for financial reasons may mean less stability, and a loss of statutory rights. From a broader perspective, some have also noted that switching jobs regularly might make it more difficult to keep track of one’s pensions and ensure one is keeping up with one’s levels of pension contributions. 

Sarah Coles, a senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, outlines: “The grass is slightly greener on the other side of the fence, but the ground may be less stable.” Adding: “Switching jobs will boost your pay by an average of 6.6%, and switching industries, occupations or regions at the same time can have an even more dramatic effect. But before you jump the fence, you need to know what you’re giving up.”

Discussing the impact of switching jobs on pensions, Helen Morrissey, senior pensions and retirement analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, comments: “You may have a job where pension contributions are above the auto-enrolment minimum, say 12%. If you then left that job the next role might only come with an 8% contribution, and if you don’t take action to increase your contribution back up to this level, then you will likely see a significant shortfall by the time you hit retirement. As we move jobs more often care needs to be taken that contribution levels are maintained wherever possible.”

Morrisey continues: “In addition, regular job moves increase the likelihood that you will lose track of pensions from previous employers. You may misplace paperwork or stop receiving documents because you moved house and didn’t update your details, or your provider might change name making it harder to track down.”

Tags: 2022, cost of living crisis, Jobs, Pensions

What is the ‘Way to Work’ initiative, and how will it affect you?

by Madaline Dunn

At the end of January, the Department for Work and Pensions published its new plan to move “half a million people into jobs by the end of June.” The campaign is called ‘Way to Work’ and supposedly will “support people” back into work “faster than ever before.”

However, as positive as this sounds, the reality of the initiative is very different. Critics of the new campaign have called it “dangerous” and say that it “misses the point.”

So what exactly is the campaign all about and who will be affected by it? At The Salary Calculator, we’ll walk you through:

• What the ‘Way to Work’ initiative is
• Why the government has introduced it
• What the impact of the scheme will be

What is the ‘Way to Work’ initiative 

The Way to Work initiative focuses largely on Universal Credit (UC) claimants who are looking for jobs and will be facilitated at UK Jobcentres by claimants’ Work Coaches. The initiative will see the introduction of new rules whereby claimants will have to expand their job search and apply for job vacancies outside of their preference zone at four weeks of unemployment. Currently, the period at which claimants must expand their search is three months. 

As outlined by Thérèse Coffey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, the drive behind the initiative is to get people into “any job,” rather than a job that fits their skills set, qualifications, or interests. 

Now, under the new initiative, Universal Credit claimants will face tough sanctions if, after four weeks, it is deemed they have failed to make “reasonable efforts” to secure a job or if they turn down any offer. Claimants will ultimately lose part of their universal credit payment.

The amount of Universal Credit benefit claimants receive varies depending on their personal circumstances, but already, the TUC has outlined that it’s not enough to live on, especially in light of rising energy costs and the soaring costs of living. 

Why has the government introduced this initiative?

According to the government, the initiative is a response to the number of job vacancies in the UK, which is now at a ‘record high’ at 1.2 million vacancies, a figure that’s 59% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Speaking about the motivation behind the initiative, Coffey said: “As we emerge from COVID, we are going to tackle supply challenges and support the continued economic recovery by getting people into work. Our new approach will help claimants get quickly back into the world of work while helping ensure employers get the people they and the economy needs.” 

What will the impact be of the scheme?

Although the UK government argues that this initiative will help to fill vacancies and kickstart the economy, experts argue that the move is doomed to fail, and that coercion into jobs has been proven not to work. Regardless, with over 200,000 new claims per month, many people across the UK will find themselves impacted by this initiative. 

Elizabeth Taylor, CEO of the Employability Services Related Association (ERSA), outlined that a “one-size-fits-all” approach is ineffective, and the initiative, as a whole, is “at odds with the people centered methodologies that employment support providers apply.” Adding: “Individually tailored support which meets personal and local labor market needs must remain front and center of any quality employability provision.”

Taylor, writing in Forbes, says that rather than coercing individuals into jobs they aren’t suited to, providing “quality employment support” and finding ways to get people into the “right job” is not only better for the employer and the employee, but the economy as a whole, too. 

Likewise, Ruth Patrick, a senior lecturer in social policy at the University of York, states that pushing people to apply to any job, “underpinned” by the threat of benefit sanctions, is, in fact, damaging and “corrosive” to relationships between claimants and advisers. Patrick explains that this approach risks pushing people into “insecure and unsuitable employment.”

A review by a University of Glasgow team also found that overall, the kind of sanctions proposed by the UK government has detrimental effects on health and wellbeing, leading to material hardship, unemployment and economic inactivity. Moreover, while in the short term, sanctions can boost employment levels, job quality and stability are negatively affected in the long term. 

According to a statement by the Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP last week, there are now “positive signs of recovery,” with unemployment “continuing to drop,” however, for the time being, it looks as though the tough sanctions of the new Way to Work initiative are here to stay.

Tags: Economy, Jobs, unemployment, Universal credit