Andrew, a worker at Capita: 

With the "cost of living" increasing virtually day on day due to higher fuel prices, the increase in VAT to 20%, the increasing rate of inflation, I have personally felt "the pinch" of having to try to make ends meet on a low wage. I live alone in a small flat and do not have an extra income to help cover my living costs. I have been told that I am not eligible for any help paying the rent. What few benefits I can claim (such as tax credits and the single person reduction on my council tax) are so small that it barely seems worthwhile taking the time to try and fill out the application forms.

The cumulative costs per month of my rent, council tax, electricity and water bills, car insurance and the cost of putting fuel in my car, and the amount I spend on my food shopping, on top of any other costs (car tax, MOTs, birthdays of friends/relatives) has pretty much stretched my finances to breaking point. I am regularly dipping into my overdraft every month (and being hit by the interest charges by the bank as a result of this), and this is something which causes me some personal embarrassment. My family have offered to help ‘bail me out' on occasions but I always feel ashamed asking them for help when I am going to work everyday.

"I am regularly dipping into my overdraft every month (and being hit by the interest charges by the bank as a result of this), and this is something which causes me some personal embarrassment."

A cleaner for Marks and Spencers:

I am from Uganda, I am a father of a six year old boy and a Muslim. I am a history teacher by profession but I had to leave my country in search for a better life for my family.

I work as a cleaner for ICM cleaning company and I clean Marks and Spencer shops. I would like to share my story with you of what it is like to live on the Minimum Wage.

I work 7 days a week and like many other cleaners I have to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning to get to work from Leytonstone where I live. We can't afford the tube and I spend 2 hours one way to get to work. My morning shift is only 4 hours. If there are more hours available or we can do cover for somebody we always jump to the occasion. We do two or three different jobs moving from one shop to another. During the weekend I work washing cars if my friend has some work for me.

The recession made it harder for people like me, and jobs are scarce. I visit the job centre regularly but I can't find another job to pay me the decent wage. I still have to send money back home but £260 that I earn fortnightly is hardly enough to meet my essential needs. Life on the Minimum Wage is very limited. We work very hard, and we don't want to lose our jobs but with less than £10 per day to spend, I eat the cheapest food, I don't go out and I can't even dream of seeing my family back home.

I clean the shops which sell food and clothes I am not able to afford. We sweep the floors, clean the toilets and get them shiny for other, more lucky people. We remain invisible in this place but I hope that as people running the responsible business you will take notice of us and our families.

"I work 7 days a week and like many other cleaners I have to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning to get to work from Leytonstone where I live. We can't afford the tube and I spend 2 hours one way to get to work. My morning shift is only 4 hours"

A cleaner on Oxford St, London:

I am a cleaner for John Lewis in Oxford Street and I have worked for the company for some months. I am employed by an agency and work very long hours every day to be able to make my living and support my family.

Let me tell you a story of an economic migrant who came to London for a better life. My country and the region I came from was very strongly affected by the recession.
I came here together with my husband hoping to bring my children with me. I found this job and with low wages that I get I started working very long hours. I earn £5.80 per hour and work 6 days a week, sometimes 12 hours per day and that gives me around £1000.

With a very tight budget I commute on 2 sometimes 3 buses for 2 hours per day. Leave the house when it's dark and come back home when it's dark. I hardly see my family and wonder where my life has gone. It slips through my fingers and it frightens me to think that I will wake up one day and won't remember anything but the toilets that I clean.
I work for John Lewis but I am not one of the partners. We, the cleaners are invisibles in this beautiful palace. We are not the one with John Lewis badge and are not treated as a part of the family.
We walk the same floors, use the same lifts and canteen but are strangers in the place. Sometimes, we feel like rats who are in the hiding, do our job, not speak to anyone, don't get asked any questions or how my day was. Yet, we always make sure the place looks spotless and fresh.

We sometimes hear that we don't smile, we don't present the right image of the company. But how can we smile when we work so much and so hard and still live in misery.

"With a very tight budget I commute on 2 sometimes 3 buses for 2 hours per day. Leave the house when it's dark and come back home when it's dark. I hardly see my family and wonder where my life has gone"