Employment

Your RORA idea: "Cash not clapping for low-paid workers"

As part of our Ride Out Recession Alliance, Margaret Wilkerson wants to see more support for the people who earn the least but did the most to get the country through Covid-19. We'd love to hear your own ideas. Get in touch at rora@bigissue.com

Your campaign to Ride Out the Recession positively is very inspiring. You have asked for ideas, so here’s one of mine….

During the lockdown, we all became very aware of our dependence on some of the lowest paid members of society. I think many people would be happy to contribute to increasing the salaries of these people, but not simply through increased taxation. I don’t think we would trust the government to use extra taxes wisely.

Perhaps funds could be set up specifically to provide extra payments to nurses, carers, social workers, supermarket workers, etc. A financial bonus each month for these vital workers would be an appropriate indication of our appreciation – better than clapping! Like all charities, donations to these could be Gift Aided. Donors could be informed of how the money has been distributed.

Just an idea.

Best wishes,

Margaret Wilkerson

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned
Employment

'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned

I was a drunk and homeless at 19. Volunteering helped me get my life back
Volunteering

I was a drunk and homeless at 19. Volunteering helped me get my life back

'I skip meals to save money': Life on social care frontline is leading to a support worker exodus
Image of carer holding elderly person's hand
Social care

'I skip meals to save money': Life on social care frontline is leading to a support worker exodus

'All my earnings go on rent:' Millions of women in UK struggling to make ends meet in low-paid jobs
People on legacy benefits are being pushed into poverty
employment

'All my earnings go on rent:' Millions of women in UK struggling to make ends meet in low-paid jobs

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know