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| Underemployment affects 10.5% of UK workforce | Underemployment affects 10.5% of UK workforce |
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| One in 10 of all workers in the UK is now officially underemployed, according to a study from the Office For National Statistics (ONS). | One in 10 of all workers in the UK is now officially underemployed, according to a study from the Office For National Statistics (ONS). |
| It says 3.05 million workers want to work more hours each week, out of a total workforce of 29.41 million. | It says 3.05 million workers want to work more hours each week, out of a total workforce of 29.41 million. |
| The number of workers in this position has shot up by 980,000 in the four years since the start of the economic recession in 2008. | The number of workers in this position has shot up by 980,000 in the four years since the start of the economic recession in 2008. |
| Most of the underemployment is concentrated among part-time workers. | Most of the underemployment is concentrated among part-time workers. |
| The main reason for the growth of underemployment has been the economic downturn of the past few years. | The main reason for the growth of underemployment has been the economic downturn of the past few years. |
| "During this period many workers moved from full-time to part-time roles and many of those returning to work after a period of unemployment could only find part-time jobs," the statistical office said. | "During this period many workers moved from full-time to part-time roles and many of those returning to work after a period of unemployment could only find part-time jobs," the statistical office said. |
| "Of the extra one million underemployed workers in 2012 compared with 2008, three-quarters were in part-time posts." | "Of the extra one million underemployed workers in 2012 compared with 2008, three-quarters were in part-time posts." |
| The ONS said 1.9 million of the underemployed were in part-time jobs and this meant, in turn, that 24% of all part-timers wanted more work. | The ONS said 1.9 million of the underemployed were in part-time jobs and this meant, in turn, that 24% of all part-timers wanted more work. |
| By contrast, only 5.5% of full-time staff said they wanted to work more hours. | By contrast, only 5.5% of full-time staff said they wanted to work more hours. |
| Each quarter, as part of its Labour Force Survey (LFS), the ONS asks respondents a series of questions about their willingness and ability to work more hours. | Each quarter, as part of its Labour Force Survey (LFS), the ONS asks respondents a series of questions about their willingness and ability to work more hours. |
| Someone is counted as underemployed if they are working fewer hours than they would like. | Someone is counted as underemployed if they are working fewer hours than they would like. |
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| The growth of underemployment has gone alongside a big fall in the real value of earnings, the ONS said, which have been outstripped by inflation in recent years. | The growth of underemployment has gone alongside a big fall in the real value of earnings, the ONS said, which have been outstripped by inflation in recent years. |
| Jane Tomlinson, a part-time worker from Oxford, told the BBC what it had been like to be underemployed for the past year. | Jane Tomlinson, a part-time worker from Oxford, told the BBC what it had been like to be underemployed for the past year. |
| "I work only 15 hours a week paid work for a charity as communications manager," she said. | "I work only 15 hours a week paid work for a charity as communications manager," she said. |
| "I don't actually want a full-time job, but I need more than 15 hours a week, so I pick up a bit of copywriting work here and there as I can find it. | "I don't actually want a full-time job, but I need more than 15 hours a week, so I pick up a bit of copywriting work here and there as I can find it. |
| "But month to month it's really tough as I make only just enough to pay the bills. Thank goodness my husband has a job," she added. | "But month to month it's really tough as I make only just enough to pay the bills. Thank goodness my husband has a job," she added. |
| 'Half-time salaries' | 'Half-time salaries' |
| Caroline Parre, an academic from Birmingham, said for the past three years the recession had prevented her hours being extended. | Caroline Parre, an academic from Birmingham, said for the past three years the recession had prevented her hours being extended. |
| "Recruited to set up a research centre, the expectation had always been the part-time job would convert into full-time employment. The recession has changed that hope," she said. | "Recruited to set up a research centre, the expectation had always been the part-time job would convert into full-time employment. The recession has changed that hope," she said. |
| "There is danger in the situation: to enable the success of the venture I have, voluntarily, worked full-time hours on a part-time salary, in the hope and belief that efforts would be rewarded. | "There is danger in the situation: to enable the success of the venture I have, voluntarily, worked full-time hours on a part-time salary, in the hope and belief that efforts would be rewarded. |
| "Efforts, of course, are not rewarded, and employers find themselves in the happy position of paying full time workers half-time salaries," she pointed out. | "Efforts, of course, are not rewarded, and employers find themselves in the happy position of paying full time workers half-time salaries," she pointed out. |
| But a spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the figures showed that three quarters of all part-time staff appeared to be content. | But a spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the figures showed that three quarters of all part-time staff appeared to be content. |
| "Part-time working suits millions of people and gives others the skills and experience to find a different job or take advantage of longer hours when they are available," she said. | "Part-time working suits millions of people and gives others the skills and experience to find a different job or take advantage of longer hours when they are available," she said. |
| "For many people it is an important step to full-time work and coming off benefits." | "For many people it is an important step to full-time work and coming off benefits." |
| This was backed up by Colin Johnson, who runs a mail order company in Lincoln and who told the BBC his staff were happy to work part-time. | This was backed up by Colin Johnson, who runs a mail order company in Lincoln and who told the BBC his staff were happy to work part-time. |
| "All of my employees are technically part-time. Some are working mums who work around schooling," he said. | "All of my employees are technically part-time. Some are working mums who work around schooling," he said. |
| "With part-timers we can contract and expand our workforce relative to increases and decreases in orders received, and we can dovetail staff to deal with peaks on the phone. | "With part-timers we can contract and expand our workforce relative to increases and decreases in orders received, and we can dovetail staff to deal with peaks on the phone. |
| "Prior to this way of working we would have out-sourced, so these are new jobs," he added. | "Prior to this way of working we would have out-sourced, so these are new jobs," he added. |
| Self-employed | Self-employed |
| The ONS explained that most of the rise in underemployment took place between 2008 and 2009, when the recession first gripped the UK economy. | The ONS explained that most of the rise in underemployment took place between 2008 and 2009, when the recession first gripped the UK economy. |
| Since then it has still been rising, though more slowly then before. | Since then it has still been rising, though more slowly then before. |
| According to the ONS analysis, the problem is worst among the lowest paid, young workers and those in low-skilled jobs, such as labourers, cleaners and catering staff. | According to the ONS analysis, the problem is worst among the lowest paid, young workers and those in low-skilled jobs, such as labourers, cleaners and catering staff. |
| The shortage of work has also led to a big rise in the level of underemployment reported by the self-employed. | The shortage of work has also led to a big rise in the level of underemployment reported by the self-employed. |
| They are now even more likely to report being underemployed than those who work for others. | They are now even more likely to report being underemployed than those who work for others. |
| However the precise reasons for individuals being underemployed can vary. | However the precise reasons for individuals being underemployed can vary. |
| The ONS said these reasons could include: | The ONS said these reasons could include: |
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| Labour market economist John Philpott said: "Approaching one in five economically active people are struggling in today's 'no or not enough work' economy. | Labour market economist John Philpott said: "Approaching one in five economically active people are struggling in today's 'no or not enough work' economy. |
| "Add in the effect of falling real take-home pay for the vast majority of people in work and it becomes clear how much distress is being suffered." | "Add in the effect of falling real take-home pay for the vast majority of people in work and it becomes clear how much distress is being suffered." |
| The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, said: "Being underemployed carries a huge pay penalty that puts a real strain on people's finances. | The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, said: "Being underemployed carries a huge pay penalty that puts a real strain on people's finances. |
| "Long periods of underemployment can cause longer term career damage, which is particularly worrying for the one in five young people currently trapped in it." | "Long periods of underemployment can cause longer term career damage, which is particularly worrying for the one in five young people currently trapped in it." |