Early years workers are in a position of ‘high financial insecurity’, with more than 44 per cent claiming benefits and tax credits, according to a report.
Published by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), it finds that despite a steady decline in staff in the sector on benefits and tax credits since 2013, the number claiming, as of last year, is much more than in competing occupations such as hairdressers and beauticians, as well as for the whole female working population.
The Early Years Workforce in England report, based on figures from the Labour Force Survey, also reveals that early years staff have suffered a real-terms pay loss of 5 per cent since 2013 (see graph below) – despite a 2.5 per cent average pay rise for the general female working population.
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