A landmark study by the Resolution Foundation has revealed that one in five UK workers now hold multiple jobs, a record high that underscores the deepening cost of living crisis. The think tank’s analysis of Labour Force Survey data shows that 1.3 million people are now juggling two or more positions, a 15% increase since 2020.
The phenomenon cuts across demographics. Among workers aged 25 to 34, the rate has risen to 22%, while those in hospitality, retail, and cleaning sectors are most likely to hold multiple roles. The report’s authors note that this shift is not driven by choice but by necessity, with rising rents, inflation, and stagnant wages forcing individuals into what one respondent described as “survival mode.”
“I work 60 hours a week across three jobs and still can’t afford a deposit on a flat,” said a 29-year-old care worker from Birmingham. “This is not about having a side hustle for luxuries. It’s about keeping the lights on.”
Labour market analysts argue that the trend signals a fundamental failure of the current economic model. The UK’s low-wage economy, exacerbated by Brexit and sluggish productivity growth, has created a situation where even full-time employment no longer guarantees financial security. The Resolution Foundation’s report recommends raising the national living wage and expanding in-work benefits, but also warns that structural reforms are needed to address the root causes of underemployment.
The government has responded by highlighting record levels of employment and tax cuts intended to stimulate growth. However, critics point out that employment figures do not capture the quality or sufficiency of work. The number of workers in insecure jobs, including zero-hour contracts, has also reached new highs.
As the cost of living crisis continues to deepen, the surge in multiple job holding is likely to become a defining feature of the UK labour market. For the millions living in survival mode, the question is not whether they can afford to work more, but whether they can afford not to.
