Women on frontline facing financial difficulties

A new survey has revealed the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on women in key worker positions, who are having to juggle the emotional, physical and financial implications.

The UNISON findings are based on responses from nearly 47,000 women including teaching assistants, nurses, council workers and police staff. They provide a comprehensive insight into the emotional, physical and financial impact of coronavirus on critical public services staff who are keeping the country running.

The report includes the experiences of those providing a wide range of essential services in the UK including education, health, social care and policing, either in their usual workplace (57 per cent) or from home (32 per cent).

According to the union, some women have described being left to pay all the bills after the death of their partner from coronavirus or resorting to wrapping themselves in blankets to save on electricity bills. Additionally, nearly two thirds (65 per cent) said that they were not sleeping well, while 51 per cent were found to not be taking regular breaks. A significant number (57 per cent) said that they were feeling stressed most of the time.

The impact of the pandemic on children is also a source of anxiety for many. Of the women who are parents, more than three in five are worried about the mental health of their children and more than two fifths are concerned about how their education is being affected.

UNISON argues that women who can least afford it are paying the biggest price. Nearly 25,000 who took part in the survey, 47 per cent, earn £18,000 a year or less, and 34 per cent have an annual salary of £15,000 or less. More than two fifths have seen their spending increase – especially on energy, food, technology, transport and housing. Reasons include having children off school all the time, a partner working from home or being furloughed.

As many as 31 per cent of women say they had to dip into savings to cope with financial difficulties.

Christina McAnea, UNISON general secretary, said: “Public services would have come to a standstill without the vital jobs done by women in our schools, hospitals, police forces and local councils. But employees are exhausted. They’re worn out from meeting work demands during Covid while caring for relatives, looking after children and dealing with debt. Those on low wages are the ones shouldering these burdens most of all.

“All women deserve better and this country’s economic recovery depends on them. But their mental and physical health is at stake. The government needs to step up by providing the funding and support to make their working lives easier.”