Bethany White
Portfolio of Work
Past. Present. Future.
‘My bus ticket was more than I got paid an hour’
The youngest workers have seen the minimum wage rise by less than older colleagues - as the latest employment figures reveal average wages are not keeping up with the rising cost of living.
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As a BBC Young Reporter, I wanted to look at this further because of my own experiences at work.
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I've had part-time jobs since I was 15, often earning the minimum wage. As a younger worker that meant I was paid less than older colleagues - even when I was doing the same work.
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It's something I've found really unfair, and I don't think younger people always feel like they can stand up for themselves at work.
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It's a issue some of my friends say they've also experienced.
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"It's frustrating," says 15-year-old Isabella, who left her job in a restaurant because she earned less than her colleagues - with the only difference being that she couldn't serve alcohol.
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"It was a small place and we were all doing the same thing, but for different amounts," she says.
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Extinction Rebellion Are Demanding Action To Be Taken Against Perenco
Members of Extinction Rebellion made their voices heard at Poole Quay today demanding action following yesterday’s oil spill at Wytch Farm.
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Protestors at Poole Quay today dressed brightly, banging drums, and chanting to get their message out to the world to demand action against pipeline operators at Perenco.
One of the most vocal at the protest was Joanna Bury, coordinator of the Extinction Rebellion, holding placards and leading the chant with a group she calls the “Pink Rebels”.
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Poole Harbour commissioners declared the event a major incident after around 200 barrels of reservoir fluid was released into the water column yesterday – of which 15 percent was oil.
Caroline Dennet Coordinator for Extinction Rebellion Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and Dorset came to the protest today as she says the event was very close to home for her.
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Defra Minister Lord Benyon told the House of Lords the Government will make sure the firm responsible will cough up for damages.
Students Oblivious To Homelessness Crisis In Bournemouth
Asking Bournemouth University students about the city’s current homelessness crisis uncovered interesting opinions and views.
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Both students had no knowledge of the current rates of rough sleepers in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area but held some strong opinions and views with one of the two students telling me.
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“I would donate and help more homeless people out but I’m a university student and with the cost-of-living crisis I struggle to live and afford food myself although I have donated to food banks before in the past.”
The latest spot check data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows there were 29 rough sleepers in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole during a spot check one night between October and November last year night.
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This was up from 2020 where there were 25, but down from 2019 where there were 72, prior to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
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https://buzz.bournemouth.ac.uk/2023/02/students-oblivious-to-homelessness-crisis-in-bournemouth/