McJobs and MacJobs: The Growing Polarisation of Jobs in the UK

Abstract

There has been a large rise in the number of well paid jobs (MacJobs) in the UK over the past 25 years but also a rise in the number of badly paid jobs (McJobs). ‘Middling’ jobs have been disappearing. The most likely cause of these trends is technology with machines and computers replacing jobs that can be mechanised. The worst paid jobs (e.g. cleaning) cannot be done effectively by machines so employment in these occupations tends to rise. The growing polarisation of jobs cannot be explained by the changing structure of the labour force. Policies to increase pay among the low paid, and immigration seem likely to be most effective at dealing with the problems caused by the increasing polarisation of work.

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