One in five TTG readers believe they may have to use a food bank this winter.
This is the shocking statistic which lays bare the impact of the cost of living crisis on members of the travel industry.
While numerous travel headlines have discussed the squeeze on consumer finances and what it might mean for holiday purchases little has been mentioned on what it might mean for people working in travel, a sector left bruised and battered by the Covid crisis, and which – historically – hasn’t paid as well as other similarly skilled professions.
Now, as the cost of living crisis bites, a TTG survey exposes the immense pressures facing those working in this industry.
“I’m an apprentice earning less than £5 an hour… I’m very worried about affording bills”
Of the almost 200 people who took part in TTG’s anonymous survey, 4% of respondents confessed they have already been forced to use a food bank, while 19% said they have either “actively considered” or “may yet have to consider” using one this winter.
Meanwhile almost a third said they were considering taking on a second job in order to make ends meet.
Some 13% have already taken on a second position, largely due to the pandemic. Amongst reasons for taking on a second job, most said it was because they were worried about paying their energy bills.
While many are managing to scrape by without help, 68% still admit they have had to cut back on household essentials or groceries to save money in the past three months.
Asked if they had cut back on any other items, 78% of respondents said they had reduced spend on takeaways and eating out, followed by socialising (71%), Christmas gifts and celebrations (57%). Rather depressingly for the travel industry, 56% said they were also cutting back on personal holidays.
“My wages don’t even cover my rent so I am claiming universal credit"
Respondents also shared their salary brackets, with the majority (29%) earning £20,000 - £30,000, while the second highest majority (25%) report their annual income as £10,000 - £20,000.
According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, “a single person needs to earn £25,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in April 2022. A couple with two children needs to earn £43,400 between them.”
