1 in 3 low paid women ‘skipping meals to save money’

Many low paid women are regularly going without food to make ends meet.

According to the Living Wage Foundation, there are 1m more women in low paid jobs than men.

In fact, women are 50% more likely to be earning less than the real living wage.

As a result, many women on the lowest salaries are being forced to make tough financial choices and finding life a struggle.

For example:

• 32% have regularly skipped meals to save money
• 30% have visited a food bank in the last year
• 33% have seen their relationship with their child suffer
• 69% believe money worries have harmed their mental health

Low pay has also led to many women feeling pessimistic about their futures, as figures showed that:

• 58% feel they won’t be able to retire (compared to 47% of men)
• 67% think they’ll have to work beyond retirement age (compared to 58% of men)
• 60% don’t think they’re saving enough to meet basic retirement needs (compared to 50% of men)

Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “Too many women have fallen into low pay, impacting their financial security, mental wellbeing and ability to provide for their families.”  

We’re here for you

If you’re finding it hard to balance your daily living costs with saving for later life, it could be worth asking for help.

We’re here to give you practical and impartial advice and can:

• check you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to
• help you create a realistic budget
• suggest debt solutions if you’re struggling to repay what you owe