Government minister says people should work more hours or ‘move to better job’ amid cost of living crisis

A government minister has suggested that people struggling with the cost of living crisis should increase their work hours or ‘move to a better paid job’.

Safeguarding Minister Rachel Maclean appeared on Sky News this morning, where she outlined some of the ways households could best protect themselves as prices across the board continue to soar.

The Redditch MP said that every minister was looking at the issue as consumers face ‘short term pressures’ such as high energy and food bills, before adding that there was ‘more help coming’.

Maclean said: “Over the long term we need to have a plan to grow the economy and make sure that people are able to protect themselves better – whether that is by taking on more hours or moving to a better paid job. 

“These are long term actions but that’s what we’re focused on as a government.”

And when presenter Kay Burley pointed out that some people are currently working three jobs but still having to visit food banks, she added: “We have often heard in the past when people are facing problems with their budgets that one of the obstacles – and it may not be for everybody – is about being able to take on more hours or even move to a better-paid job.

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“Of course, it’s an individual situation, depending on that particular family’s situation but that’s why the job centres exist, that’s why the work coaches exist, that’s why we’ve put the support into those job centres – to work with individuals on their own individual situation.

“So it may be right for some people – they may be able to access additional hours… but of course it’s not going to work for people who are already working in three jobs.”

She also said help being given to schools and through local authorities would target assistance ‘where it’s most needed’.

Maclean’s comments have been met with a wave of backlash this morning, with many slamming the Tory MP as ‘tone deaf’ and ‘out of touch’, with deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner commenting: “Could the Tories be any more out of touch if they tried?”

The government has faced intense scrutiny for its response to the cost of living crisis, which saw the energy cap recently increase by a record-breaking 54%, plunging millions of households into debt and poverty.

As part of its response to the crisis, the government offered a £150 council tax rebate and a £200 energy bill discount, which will eventually have to be paid back over five annual £40 payments.