From secure jobs and living wages to the precarity trap

When the war ended in 1945, the UK’s economy was on its knees.

Debt had ballooned, infrastructure was battered, and millions of soldiers returned home seeking work.

But in the years that followed, Britain didn’t crumble. It built — an economy, a welfare state, and a promise:

If you worked hard, you’d have a decent job, a decent wage, and a decent life.

That promise, though far from perfect, shaped the working lives of generations.

So why does work today feel so insecure, so underpaid — and for many, so hopeless?

The post-war work ethic — and the social contract

After 1945, full employment wasn’t a political talking point — it was a national mission.

Governments actively intervened in the economy to keep people in work.

Major industries were nationalised.

New public services (like the NHS and education) created hundreds of thousands of jobs.

• Unions were strong and wages rose in line with productivity.
• A single job could support a family — with one wage earner.
• Apprenticeships, skilled trades, and stable careers were routes out of poverty.
• There was dignity in work — and an understanding that the system would not leave people behind.

It wasn’t utopia — but for millions, it was a path to stability.

The shift: what went wrong?

From the late 1970s onwards, the rules changed.

Unions were weakened, especially during the Thatcher era, tipping the balance of power toward employers.

Deindustrialisation hit communities hard — especially in the North and Midlands — as coal mines, steelworks, and factories closed.

Privatisation and deregulation turned public services into profit-driven ventures, often at the cost of job security.

“Flexibility” became the buzzword — and with it came zero-hours contracts, gig economy jobs, and the explosion of part-time and agency work.

Wages stagnated while the cost of living soared — and today, many workers earn less in real terms than they did 15 years ago.

Today’s working Britain

Despite record employment levels, work in 2025 too often means:

• Low pay that doesn’t cover basic living costs.
• No sick pay, no guaranteed hours, no stability.
• Two or three jobs just to make ends meet.
• Food banks for full-time workers.
• Exploitation in care work, hospitality, retail, and delivery.

We live in a country where the economy grows, but the people doing the work see little benefit.

Even “middle-class” professions are stretched thin:

• NHS staff are leaving due to burnout and real-terms pay cuts.
• Teachers, lecturers, and civil servants have been striking just to stop falling behind.
• Young workers are stuck in insecure roles with no pensions, no hope of owning a home, and little chance of advancement.

Work as it was — and as it should be

The idea that one income could support a family — once normal – now seems laughable to many.

And yet, the post-war generation managed to build an economy where that was possible.

They didn’t have more money — but they had political will.

They understood that an economy should serve people, not just the market.

Isn’t it time to rebuild that promise?

We need to stop pretending this is normal.

It’s not normal for full-time workers to live in poverty.

It’s not normal for nurses to need food banks.

It’s not normal to work 60 hours a week and still fall behind.

Just like in 1945, we face a choice:

Do we let the current system grind people down — or do we rebuild a future where work means security, dignity, and a life worth living?

What is work like for you?

Are you juggling multiple jobs to survive?

Have you worked in the same role for years without a real pay rise?

Are you a key worker who feels undervalued and underpaid?

Do you remember when one job could support a family?

Let’s hear your story.

Share it in the comments, reply on social media, or email us directly: [email protected]

They fought for peace and built prosperity. We owe it to them — and to ourselves — to build a working future that works for everyone.