NEARLY half of workers in insecure jobs remained stuck after four years — proving that such roles are not merely “temporary stop-gaps” or “stepping stones” to secure employment, a study found today.

The analysis by the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, found that 44 per cent of workers remained in insecure work  — characterised by low pay, unpredictable hours, with poor protections and limited career progression, after four years.

Based on data taken from between 2017/18 and 2021/22 from an Understanding Society survey of 10,804 workers, it found that only four in 10 progressed to secure work within the same time frame.