North West Poverty Monitor 2024: Labour market
Work is often seen as the best route out of poverty. However, around two-thirds of working age adults and children experiencing poverty in the UK live in households where at least one person is in work. The rise of in-work poverty in the UK has been a growing trend and suggests that employment alone is often not an effective means of escaping poverty. Addressing low pay and supporting in-work progression is central to tackling in-work poverty.
Proportion of people earning below Living Wage rates by local authority
The chart shows the proportion of people earning less than the Real Living Wage (i.e. the hourly rate set by the Living Wage Foundation) in each North West local authority. The data is for 2023.
Use the arrows to see charts for different parts of the North West (Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria and Merseyside and Cheshire).
The data is split between full and part-time workings, illustrating how people in part-time are much more likely to be in low paying jobs.
Changes in unemployment rates over time by local authority
This chart shows unemployment rates by local authority between 2018 and 2022.
Use the arrows to see charts for different parts of the North West (Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside and Cheshire).
Comparison between average weekly pay for residents and at workplaces by local authority
This chart shows the difference in earnings between people living in an area and those who are working in the area. The data is from 2023 and is shown for each North West local authority.
Use the arrows to see charts for different parts of the North West (Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria and Merseyside and Cheshire).
The data highlights the difference in pay between the people who live in a local authority area and the jobs available in that area.
Proportion of people on unemployment benefits by local authority
This map shows the proportion of people in receipt of unemployment benefits across the North West in 2024.