Key workers make up almost a third of the workforce in Portsmouth

CLOSE to a third of workers in Portsmouth are key workers – but they are not getting the support they deserve, according to one union representative.
Key workers, like staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, make up almost a third of the workforce in Portsmouth. Picture: Sarah StandingKey workers, like staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, make up almost a third of the workforce in Portsmouth. Picture: Sarah Standing
Key workers, like staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, make up almost a third of the workforce in Portsmouth. Picture: Sarah Standing

Portsmouth was home to 31,000 key workers in 2019, Office for National Statistics figures show.

This is equal to 31 per cent of the area’s workforce – slightly below the UK average of 33 per cent.

In Havant, key workers made up 40 per cent of all workers.

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A total of 31 per cent of workers in Fareham perform services essential during the Covid-19 crisis, while the figure rose to 32 per cent in Gosport.

Key workers include health and social care staff, delivery drivers, supermarket employees, and members of the emergency services.

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Despite being ‘absolutely vital for society’, according to Jon Woods, chairman of the Portsmouth city Unison branch, there are concerns that many public sector key workers could face a pay freeze.

The union representative said: ‘I think what's interesting is that the Covid situation shows who are the really important workers in society – hospital workers, care workers, people on the front line of social care, people running homeless shelters. ‘They are absolutely vital for society. And it's great to see the clap for carers happen across the country, but I don’t think this appreciation is showing in their pay. ‘It will still be a struggle to get this recognition from the government.

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‘We have seen leaked reports that the government is looking at a public sector pay freeze.’

An analysis by jobs website Check-a-Salary shows the average salary for a full-time key worker in Hampshire is £30,610 – dropping to just above £19,000 for the lowest paid key workers.

As well as concerns about pay, key workers in Portsmouth face poor public transport and declining morale, according to Mr Woods.

He said: ‘Another big issues is transport. There's absolutely an issue of public transport in Portsmouth. A lot of key workers don't have cars.

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‘And it’s extremely tiring and stressful for (key workers) dealing with what is a constantly changing situation, as well as planning ahead constantly.’

There are 10.6 million key workers across the UK, in a workforce of 32.6 million.

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