The average worker pays one pound of every eight they earn for the privilege of getting to work: £1,843 a year, according to research by Santander Bank, rising to £3,561 a year in London. Collectively we spend £67 billion each year on travel, lunch at work, childcare and work clothing. Commuting is the biggest expense, with £782 on average being spent each year on public transport and those who use their cars spending an average of £829 on fuel and £65 on parking.
We all contribute, directly or indirectly, to the creation of surplus value, the source of profits. To pay to take ourselves to the point of production where that value is created and not to demand that this be reflected in wages amounts to subsidising the employer. Perhaps we should find ways for them to pay these costs. ■