Stories

Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 'I've given up on working in hospitality. The £15,000 pay isn't worth the stress'

People in their 20s and 30s tell the BBC how they feel about their finances ahead of the chancellor's Spring Statement.

* Andrew Hall, a 24-year-old bartender, works on a contract basis but typically puts in 30-50 hours per week. He struggles to make ends meet and has had to rely on payday apps.
* Jack Wood, also 24, bought his first house with the help of lower interest rates and a Lifetime Isa, but feels he got lucky with the timing and now faces uncertainty about future government policies affecting savers.
* Susan Nasser, a 27-year-old hostess, works on a zero-hours basis and has seen her income fluctuate wildly. She rents a flat for £1,100 per month and hopes for more stability from the Employment Rights Act.
* Ivy Morris, a 32-year-old mother of three, receives benefits but still relies on her local food bank due to limited work opportunities and high childcare costs.
* Qasim Shah, a 21-year-old former apprentice, was made redundant and now plans to sit exams for his qualification. He wants the government to do more to encourage school leavers into apprenticeships. These individuals face varying challenges related to employment, income stability, and access to benefits, highlighting concerns about the UK's economic prospects.