The number of people working second jobs has increased by over 100,000 since the General Election, according to figures from the Labour Force Survey. New figures show that, within this, the number of self-employed people with a second job has risen by 68,000 or 22 per cent since 2010, fuelling fears of growing insecurity in the labour market.

Commenting on the figures Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Rachel Reeves said: “The huge increase in the number of people in second jobs is further evidence of David Cameron’s failure to deliver a recovery that benefits working people.  

“Self-employment gives many people the flexibility they want, but there’s a real worry that thousands of working people are being forced to take on a second job because they can’t afford to make ends meet.  

“The Tory cost-of-living crisis, job insecurity and stagnant wages has left working people £1,600 a year worse off since 2010.  

“Instead of the complacency of the Tories, Labour will ensure we earn our way to higher living standards for all with more good jobs. A Labour government will raise the minimum wage to £8 an hour, give incentives to employers to pay a living wage, expand free childcare for working parents, boost apprenticeships and get 200,000 homes a year built. Labour will cut red tape for self-employed workers, ensure they are treated fairly in the mortgage market and can save for a pension.”