One in five low-paid men are no longer in full-time work – with a FOUR-FOLD increase in poorer men going part-time
Economists said it was impossible to know whether the huge shift was down to a lack of full-time work in sectors such as catering and retail or a lifestyle choice
ONE IN FIVE low-paid men are working less than 30 hours a week - sparking a huge pay gap between British blokes.
A study last night revealed a dramatic FOUR-FOLD rise in the number of poorly paid 25 to 55 year-old men taking up part-time work.
In 1994, just one in 20 low-paid men were working less than 30 hours a week.
But the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) said this figure had soared to one in five – an increase of around 300,000 men "in their prime".
The top economists said it was impossible to know whether the huge shift was down to a lack of full-time work in sectors such as catering and retail or a lifestyle choice.
IFS senior research economist Andrew Hood told the Sun: "It could be that many of these low paid men cannot find full-time jobs anymore."
But experts last night said it was "fuelling inequality".
The IFS said rich blokes now earn five and-a-half-times more each week than low-paid men – £1,100 a week against £200.
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This compares with four times as much in the mid-1990s.
Stephen Clarke, economist analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: "Women still dominate low paid and part-time work.
"But a growing share of men have moved into these kinds of jobs in recent decades. The part-time penalty isn’t just adding to the gender pay gap – it’s fuelling inequality among men too."
The IFS study came just days after a report claimed inequality was at its lowest point since the mid-80s.
But the fall has in part been down to tax credits shoring up overall incomes and a rise in pensioner pay because of a guaranteed 2.5 per cent rise on state pensions. Last month official figures revealed that while 23 million people have full-time jobs in the UK, there are 8.6 million part-timers – an increase of 107,000 in a year.
A think tank last year said a growing number of men were choosing to work part-time – because of a desire to spend more time with the family.
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) said it expected a 20 per cent rise in part-time men between now and 2024 – against a 7 per cent rise for women. But this was largely expected to come in higher income professions such as IT.
Separately last night a group of MPs called for an investigation into how Mums and Dads can "share care" to reduce the gender pay gap.
