A new report by University College London highlights a worrying trend in the UK job market: 8% of workers are stuck in low-paid, insecure jobs with little chance of moving into more stable roles. These “increasingly precarious” workers are part of a broader group, representing 10-10.7% of the workforce, who have been in precarious jobs since 2009, according to the study.

The report, commissioned by the Director of Labour Market Enforcement (DLME), is the most detailed analysis yet of precarious work in the UK. It is based on data from the Understanding Society survey, which has tracked the lives of 40,000 UK households for over a decade. Unlike previous studies, this one looks at how workers’ situations change over time, revealing that a significant minority face growing barriers to stable employment.

Especially vulnerable

Precarious workers are more likely to be women, young, and working-class. They are often employed in hospitality, retail, agriculture, and construction, with many remaining in the same industry for years. Most lack the protection of unions, making them more vulnerable to low pay and poor conditions.

The study also identified five main groups in the UK workforce:

• Traditional workers (49%): Those in secure, permanent jobs.
• Transitional workers (25%): People who move in and out of precarious work, often due to caring responsibilities.
• Early-career workers (10%): Younger employees who typically transition to better jobs over time.
• Non-traditional workers (8%): Gig workers or the self-employed, many of whom move into more stable roles.
• Increasingly precarious workers (8%): People who are more likely to stay in precarious work and struggle to progress.

The researchers note that while the overall share of precarious jobs has not risen since 2009, the long-term entrapment of 8% of workers is a serious concern. These workers don’t follow the common path of moving into better jobs as their careers progress. Instead, they face growing odds of staying in insecure roles.

Patchy enforecement

The UK’s patchy system for enforcing labor laws only adds to the problem. State agencies often lack the resources to intervene, leaving workers to rely on employment tribunals, which are time-consuming and hard to access. “Without stronger legal protections and better enforcement, many workers will remain stuck in precarious jobs and vulnerable to exploitation,” the authors warn.

This report is part of a broader effort to understand and tackle precarious work. In 2025, the researchers will launch the Working Lives Survey, the largest study of labor exploitation in the UK. This will include surveys and interviews to uncover workers’ experiences and develop strategies to prevent exploitation.

The findings come as policymakers take steps to address job insecurity. The Employment Rights Bill, introduced in October 2024, includes measures to limit zero-hours contracts and create a Fair Work Agency to enforce workers’ rights.

For now, the report paints a sobering picture. “Precarious work is not just a phase for some workers,” the authors conclude. “For many, it’s a long-term trap that harms their quality of life and financial stability. We need to ask whether this should be an accepted feature of the modern labor market—and what can be done to change it.”