A union body in the UK has cautioned against increasing poverty among young people and the low-paid as a result of shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) employees under 25 were around two and a half times more likely to suffer from business shutdowns due to the pandemic, working in the retail and leisure sectors or bars and restaurants, than other workers, reports Sky News.

Senior research economist, Xiaowei Xu stated: "There is a remarkable concentration of younger and lower paid workers in the sectors most affected by the current lockdown.

"Women are also more likely to be affected than men.

"Fortunately, in the short run, many will have the cushion of the incomes of parents or other household members.

"But for the longer term, there must be serious worries about the effect of this crisis on the young especially and on inequality more generally."

A series of measures have been announced to help businesses, such as guarantees that furloughed employees receiving 80% of their wages.

On Monday, the TUC union organisation demanded an "emergency" boost to Universal Credit to assist those without jobs to endure the impact of the pandemic.

The organisation said that if the basic rate wasn’t increased above £94, in real terms unemployment support would be lower than the unemployment peaks registered in the 80s and 90s.

TUC general secretary, Frances O'Grady said: "Unions have worked closely with government during this crisis to protect livelihoods, but there is still more to do.

"People who lose their jobs must get the support they need to make ends meet and to get back on their feet.

"If we don't urgently boost Universal Credit many risk being plunged into poverty.

"We need a social security system that can deal with the current pandemic and beyond. It's time to start a national conversation about how we repair Britain's safety net and help those who fall on hard times to bounce back."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson responded: "Universal Credit is delivering vital support to millions of people in these unprecedented times, and from today payments will rise by up to £1,040 a year.

"This government is committed to doing whatever it takes to help those affected by Covid-19 and has announced over £6.5bn of additional measures through the welfare system."