Annual State of the Nation report, commissioned by the JosephRowntreeFoundation and carried out by the New Policy Institute, which brings together official data to present a comprehensive picture of poverty and social exclusion in the United Kingdom. The report focuses on five main themes: income, housing, life chances, which looks at the prospects of children and young people; social security
(Edited publisher abstract)
Annual State of the Nation report, commissioned by the JosephRowntreeFoundation and carried out by the New Policy Institute, which brings together official data to present a comprehensive picture of poverty and social exclusion in the United Kingdom. The report focuses on five main themes: income, housing, life chances, which looks at the prospects of children and young people; social security, work and worklessness. It finds that on many indicators, the UK economy has now recovered from the financial crisis and prolonged period of stagnation. However, it reports that in 2014/15, there were 13.5 million people living in low-income households, 21 per cent of the UK population. This proportion has barely changed since 2002/03. Areas of concern identified in the report include a close association between disability and poverty, with a high concentration of poverty among families with a disabled member; real risks of poverty for the increasing number of people housed in the private rented sector; and a continuing rise in poverty among those who are in employment
(Edited publisher abstract)
Summarises the findings of research to compare how experts and the public understand UK poverty and to provide an analysis of the overlaps and gaps between these ways of thinking. The ultimate aim of the research is to identify challenges in communicating about poverty, to shift negative public attitudes and develop strategies for building support. The research was based on interviews with researchers, policy stakeholders, practitioners and on 40 in-depth interviews with members of the public across the UK, complemented by on-the-street interviews. It identified key points about poverty that experts felt needed to be communicated more effectively. It also identified a number of 'cultural models', or shared assumptions and patterns of thinking, which shape the British public's view of poverty. It argues that these cultural models act as barriers to communicating expert perspectives on the causes and consequences of UK poverty. The research also identifies overlaps between expert and public understandings which can be used as to build public support for tackling poverty. These include: that society should provide for people’s basic needs, a recognition that the differential availability of opportunities as a cause of poverty, and that improvements in education, job training and housing provision are key measures for addressing UK poverty. Recommendations to improve communication about UK poverty are included.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Summarises the findings of research to compare how experts and the public understand UK poverty and to provide an analysis of the overlaps and gaps between these ways of thinking. The ultimate aim of the research is to identify challenges in communicating about poverty, to shift negative public attitudes and develop strategies for building support. The research was based on interviews with researchers, policy stakeholders, practitioners and on 40 in-depth interviews with members of the public across the UK, complemented by on-the-street interviews. It identified key points about poverty that experts felt needed to be communicated more effectively. It also identified a number of 'cultural models', or shared assumptions and patterns of thinking, which shape the British public's view of poverty. It argues that these cultural models act as barriers to communicating expert perspectives on the causes and consequences of UK poverty. The research also identifies overlaps between expert and public understandings which can be used as to build public support for tackling poverty. These include: that society should provide for people’s basic needs, a recognition that the differential availability of opportunities as a cause of poverty, and that improvements in education, job training and housing provision are key measures for addressing UK poverty. Recommendations to improve communication about UK poverty are included.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, attitudes, public opinion, social policy, communication;
Drawing evidence and recommendations developed for a UK wide report, this document sets out a framework for action to be taken to tackle poverty in Wales. It takes a broad view of poverty, which covers more than relative-income measures or area-based deprivation approaches, and recognises that everyone has a role to play in combating poverty. The framework covers five key areas: economic growth and employment; improving the education and skills of the population; strengthening families and communities; reducing costs of essential goods and services to help those on low incomes; and also outlines five key principles to help support people and families with complex needs. The final section looks at how organisations and individuals should work together to take action. It outlines measures that government, employers, charities, communities and individuals themselves can do to take to reduce the risk of poverty. It also recommends that the UK Government to play its part, through an effective social security system, better regulation, fostering a favourable economic climate and a fair financial and fiscal framework for Wales.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing evidence and recommendations developed for a UK wide report, this document sets out a framework for action to be taken to tackle poverty in Wales. It takes a broad view of poverty, which covers more than relative-income measures or area-based deprivation approaches, and recognises that everyone has a role to play in combating poverty. The framework covers five key areas: economic growth and employment; improving the education and skills of the population; strengthening families and communities; reducing costs of essential goods and services to help those on low incomes; and also outlines five key principles to help support people and families with complex needs. The final section looks at how organisations and individuals should work together to take action. It outlines measures that government, employers, charities, communities and individuals themselves can do to take to reduce the risk of poverty. It also recommends that the UK Government to play its part, through an effective social security system, better regulation, fostering a favourable economic climate and a fair financial and fiscal framework for Wales.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, low income, intervention, cost of living;
A comprehensive report on UK poverty, examining causes, costs and solutions. To be in poverty is to have resources that are well below minimum needs, as a result of a lack of resources – most obviously, income – but also of steep prices for minimum needs. Low resources and high costs cause poverty, separately or together. It is estimated that 13.5 million people live in poverty in the UK. This report explains what poverty is and what causes it, highlights trends and projections in UK poverty, and makes recommendations for tackling: the high costs driving poverty, including housing; poverty in childhood; poverty in working age; poverty in later life; poverty for people with complex needs. The report argues that the problem of poverty can be solved by strengthening family life, ensuring all citizens have the skills they need to operate, fixing flaws in the benefits system, taking practical action to contain rising costs, and moving to more progressive employment and business practices. Solving poverty relies on economic growth, but the proceeds need to be distributed more fairly, and the underlying causes, such as low pay, low skills and high costs, need to be reduced. Where possible, the report has costed the policy recommendations and shown where there could be savings in the long term. The report calls on national and local governments, businesses, employers, providers of essential goods and services, housing providers, public service providers, investors and philanthropists, community, faith and voluntary sector groups and citizens to work together, to reduce the risk of people falling into poverty, mitigate their experiences when they are in poverty and make it easier for them to escape from it.
(Edited publisher abstract)
A comprehensive report on UK poverty, examining causes, costs and solutions. To be in poverty is to have resources that are well below minimum needs, as a result of a lack of resources – most obviously, income – but also of steep prices for minimum needs. Low resources and high costs cause poverty, separately or together. It is estimated that 13.5 million people live in poverty in the UK. This report explains what poverty is and what causes it, highlights trends and projections in UK poverty, and makes recommendations for tackling: the high costs driving poverty, including housing; poverty in childhood; poverty in working age; poverty in later life; poverty for people with complex needs. The report argues that the problem of poverty can be solved by strengthening family life, ensuring all citizens have the skills they need to operate, fixing flaws in the benefits system, taking practical action to contain rising costs, and moving to more progressive employment and business practices. Solving poverty relies on economic growth, but the proceeds need to be distributed more fairly, and the underlying causes, such as low pay, low skills and high costs, need to be reduced. Where possible, the report has costed the policy recommendations and shown where there could be savings in the long term. The report calls on national and local governments, businesses, employers, providers of essential goods and services, housing providers, public service providers, investors and philanthropists, community, faith and voluntary sector groups and citizens to work together, to reduce the risk of people falling into poverty, mitigate their experiences when they are in poverty and make it easier for them to escape from it.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sets out a long-term strategy to solve poverty in the UK, aligning greater corporate responsibility with an active, enabling state, promoting individual and community capacity and capability. The report suggests that in the UK today there are five key causes that need priority action: unemployment, low wages and insecure jobs; lack of skills; family problems; an inadequate benefits system; and high costs. These result from an overlapping and shifting series of influences that include market opportunities, state support and individual decisions. The report sets out a five-point plan to solve poverty in the UK, aimed at: boosting incomes and reduce costs; delivering an effective benefit system; improving education standards and raise skills; strengthening families and communities; and promoting long-term economic growth benefiting everyone. Key recommendations for national and local governments include: a rebalanced economy with better jobs; supporting people into work and to get on at work; social security that is effective and makes work pay; supporting families; supporting people in later life; access to secure and affordable homes; and enabling local and community action. In addition, the report makes a number of specific recommendations for businesses, employers and providers of essential goods and services, service providers and housing providers, investors and philanthropists, and citizens and communities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sets out a long-term strategy to solve poverty in the UK, aligning greater corporate responsibility with an active, enabling state, promoting individual and community capacity and capability. The report suggests that in the UK today there are five key causes that need priority action: unemployment, low wages and insecure jobs; lack of skills; family problems; an inadequate benefits system; and high costs. These result from an overlapping and shifting series of influences that include market opportunities, state support and individual decisions. The report sets out a five-point plan to solve poverty in the UK, aimed at: boosting incomes and reduce costs; delivering an effective benefit system; improving education standards and raise skills; strengthening families and communities; and promoting long-term economic growth benefiting everyone. Key recommendations for national and local governments include: a rebalanced economy with better jobs; supporting people into work and to get on at work; social security that is effective and makes work pay; supporting families; supporting people in later life; access to secure and affordable homes; and enabling local and community action. In addition, the report makes a number of specific recommendations for businesses, employers and providers of essential goods and services, service providers and housing providers, investors and philanthropists, and citizens and communities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, social exclusion, employment, housing, capacity building, welfare state;
This report explores the relationship between disability and poverty among the older population. It provides an overview of the current system of disability support for older people which involves both nationally-administered disability benefits of Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, and local systems of social care provision. It then looks at measuring poverty, emphasising the additional living costs that disabled people face, and the importance of taking disability costs into account when making assessments. The report considers three scenarios for the system of public support within the existing level of government spending which involve changes to levels of mean-testing and reach of support. It casts doubt on some of the suggestions that have been made for improving the targeting of public support for older disabled people. The report concludes that: effective targeting does not necessarily require an extension of means-testing; the present benefit and social care system is reasonably well-targeted, but falls far short of full support for the most severely disabled; there is a case for tailoring the structure of disability benefits more closely to the severity of disability; and there is a need for caution in considering proposals that would scrap national disability benefits in favour of an expansion of local authority social care funding.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report explores the relationship between disability and poverty among the older population. It provides an overview of the current system of disability support for older people which involves both nationally-administered disability benefits of Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, and local systems of social care provision. It then looks at measuring poverty, emphasising the additional living costs that disabled people face, and the importance of taking disability costs into account when making assessments. The report considers three scenarios for the system of public support within the existing level of government spending which involve changes to levels of mean-testing and reach of support. It casts doubt on some of the suggestions that have been made for improving the targeting of public support for older disabled people. The report concludes that: effective targeting does not necessarily require an extension of means-testing; the present benefit and social care system is reasonably well-targeted, but falls far short of full support for the most severely disabled; there is a case for tailoring the structure of disability benefits more closely to the severity of disability; and there is a need for caution in considering proposals that would scrap national disability benefits in favour of an expansion of local authority social care funding.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, disabilities, poverty, standard of living, cost of living, social care provision, eligibility criteria, disability living allowance, attendance allowance, benefits;
This report looks at the impacts of international migration on poverty in the UK. Migration has wide-ranging impacts, many of which are relevant to the study of poverty, yet prior studies have not examined the evidence through this lens. This report reviews existing research, examines policy options for a poverty reduction strategy and discusses gaps in the evidence base. The report shows that there are four key ways in which migration may affect the incidence of poverty – through the labour market, the cost of living, public services and public finances. These factors affect poverty in different ways, making it difficult to determine the ‘total’ impact of migration on poverty. Significant effects of migration on employment rates have not been found, but migration seems to have decreased wages in some low-wage jobs. Conversely, migration appears to reduce the cost of some goods and services, resulting in more affordable prices for low-income, UK-born people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report looks at the impacts of international migration on poverty in the UK. Migration has wide-ranging impacts, many of which are relevant to the study of poverty, yet prior studies have not examined the evidence through this lens. This report reviews existing research, examines policy options for a poverty reduction strategy and discusses gaps in the evidence base. The report shows that there are four key ways in which migration may affect the incidence of poverty – through the labour market, the cost of living, public services and public finances. These factors affect poverty in different ways, making it difficult to determine the ‘total’ impact of migration on poverty. Significant effects of migration on employment rates have not been found, but migration seems to have decreased wages in some low-wage jobs. Conversely, migration appears to reduce the cost of some goods and services, resulting in more affordable prices for low-income, UK-born people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, migration, immigration, labour market, cost of living, public expenditure, access to services;
Drawing on analysis of the Family Resources Survey, this report highlights that migrants to the UK are at a higher risk of poverty than people born in the UK. The report looks at the number of migrants in the UK and key characteristic such as age on arrive and length of time living in the UK. It then discusses the levels of poverty among the foreign born population, and how this varies across different ages, tenures and for people with different family and work arrangement. The report shows that, on average over the three-year period to 2013/14, there were 2.5 million foreign-born people in poverty (32% of all foreign-born people), contrasting with a poverty rate of 19% for UK-born people. It finds that foreign-born people living in poverty are more likely to have characteristics or live in circumstances associated with higher rates of poverty for UK-born people, such as: being young adults; renting privately; and in families where only one adult in a couple is in work. The report highlights two key groups at most risk of poverty, children born to foreign-born parents and people who have spent ten or more years in the UK. In the three years to 2013/14 most (73%) of the foreign-born population who were in poverty had lived in the UK for at least five years. The poverty rate for children with foreign-born parents was high, reaching 45% compared with 24% for the children of UK-born parents. It highlights the need to consider how best to support those migrants who have lived in the UK for many years, to access the opportunities available to others.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing on analysis of the Family Resources Survey, this report highlights that migrants to the UK are at a higher risk of poverty than people born in the UK. The report looks at the number of migrants in the UK and key characteristic such as age on arrive and length of time living in the UK. It then discusses the levels of poverty among the foreign born population, and how this varies across different ages, tenures and for people with different family and work arrangement. The report shows that, on average over the three-year period to 2013/14, there were 2.5 million foreign-born people in poverty (32% of all foreign-born people), contrasting with a poverty rate of 19% for UK-born people. It finds that foreign-born people living in poverty are more likely to have characteristics or live in circumstances associated with higher rates of poverty for UK-born people, such as: being young adults; renting privately; and in families where only one adult in a couple is in work. The report highlights two key groups at most risk of poverty, children born to foreign-born parents and people who have spent ten or more years in the UK. In the three years to 2013/14 most (73%) of the foreign-born population who were in poverty had lived in the UK for at least five years. The poverty rate for children with foreign-born parents was high, reaching 45% compared with 24% for the children of UK-born parents. It highlights the need to consider how best to support those migrants who have lived in the UK for many years, to access the opportunities available to others.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report estimates the total public financial costs, associated with additional spending on public services and the knock-on harm of poverty meaning that people need more future support from the state. It illustrates the magnitude of the cost of poverty in order to show the kinds of savings that a sustained reduction in poverty could bring. It also looks at some longer-term consequences of poverty to the Treasury, in terms of reduced revenues and increased benefit payments to people whose earnings potential will be damaged in the future by the experience of poverty today. The report shows that the public service costs of poverty amount to around £69 billion, with identifiable knock-on effects of child poverty costing a further £6 billion and knock-on effects of adult poverty costing at least £2.7 billion. This gives a total cost of poverty in the UK of around £78 billion. Adult social care is associated with £4.6 billion of the cost of poverty. This is one of the largest areas of local authority spending, with a significant degree of means testing of clients, and one for which demand is growing rapidly. Slightly over half of the additional cost is linked to services for younger adults, the remainder associated with older people. For these services, the relationship between expenditure and poverty mirrors that of the health sector, and accounts for around a quarter of all expenditure. The report estimates that a large proportion of what is spend publicly (about £1 in every £5 spent on public services) is making up for the way that poverty damages people’s lives.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report estimates the total public financial costs, associated with additional spending on public services and the knock-on harm of poverty meaning that people need more future support from the state. It illustrates the magnitude of the cost of poverty in order to show the kinds of savings that a sustained reduction in poverty could bring. It also looks at some longer-term consequences of poverty to the Treasury, in terms of reduced revenues and increased benefit payments to people whose earnings potential will be damaged in the future by the experience of poverty today. The report shows that the public service costs of poverty amount to around £69 billion, with identifiable knock-on effects of child poverty costing a further £6 billion and knock-on effects of adult poverty costing at least £2.7 billion. This gives a total cost of poverty in the UK of around £78 billion. Adult social care is associated with £4.6 billion of the cost of poverty. This is one of the largest areas of local authority spending, with a significant degree of means testing of clients, and one for which demand is growing rapidly. Slightly over half of the additional cost is linked to services for younger adults, the remainder associated with older people. For these services, the relationship between expenditure and poverty mirrors that of the health sector, and accounts for around a quarter of all expenditure. The report estimates that a large proportion of what is spend publicly (about £1 in every £5 spent on public services) is making up for the way that poverty damages people’s lives.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, costs, public expenditure, economic evaluation, social care, childrens social care, housing, education, health inequalities;
Drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 families who have incomes below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), this qualitative research investigates the consequences these families face living in 21st century Britain. Although these families do not necessarily face severe material deprivation, their incomes are seen to be too low to allow the choices and opportunities required to participate fully in society. The research considers their experiences of low income; the impact of low income on the practicalities of family life and emotional and psychological well-being; and how families prioritise their spending while living with less than the MIS budget. The study shows that the severe pressures of living on a low income are not restricted to a few families in the most severe poverty. Families differed in the extent to which they were coping. Important factors included: what level of costs parents faced, whether they had support from friends and family, their own budgeting skills, and whether they could achieve a degree of stability, often undermined by irregular employment and hours, changes in benefits and tax credits, and insecurity in private rented housing. Key issues for policy-makers identified include: rolling out the Universal Credit system, enabling greater stability for those living in private rented housing, and increased accessibility to child care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 families who have incomes below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), this qualitative research investigates the consequences these families face living in 21st century Britain. Although these families do not necessarily face severe material deprivation, their incomes are seen to be too low to allow the choices and opportunities required to participate fully in society. The research considers their experiences of low income; the impact of low income on the practicalities of family life and emotional and psychological well-being; and how families prioritise their spending while living with less than the MIS budget. The study shows that the severe pressures of living on a low income are not restricted to a few families in the most severe poverty. Families differed in the extent to which they were coping. Important factors included: what level of costs parents faced, whether they had support from friends and family, their own budgeting skills, and whether they could achieve a degree of stability, often undermined by irregular employment and hours, changes in benefits and tax credits, and insecurity in private rented housing. Key issues for policy-makers identified include: rolling out the Universal Credit system, enabling greater stability for those living in private rented housing, and increased accessibility to child care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
low income, families, poverty, choice, coping behaviour, family relations, benefits;