Tory minister says people should 'take on more hours or move to better paid job'

Watch: Minister says people should work more hours or move to better paid job

A government minister said people struggling with rising costs should consider taking on more hours at work or moving to a better-paid job.

Rachel Maclean, safeguarding minister at the Home Office, told Sky News on Monday: “I think what we need to focus on now is over the long-term.

“We do have these short-term pressures on us that we’re all aware of … but over the long-term we need to have a plan to grow the economy and make sure that people are able to protect themselves better, whether that is by taking on more hours or moving to a better-paid job."

Ms Maclean said she was not “suggesting for one moment” that such an option would work for everyone, adding: “It may be right for some people, they may be able to access additional hours, but, of course, it is not going to work for people who are already in three jobs.

“That’s why we need to have the other measures, such as all the help we are putting into schools, the help with the local authorities, and that’s where we are going to target help to where it is most needed.”

She added: "One of the obstacles is about being able to take on more hours or even move to a better paid job.

"That's why the job centres exist, that's why the work coaches exist."

More to follow...