This report explores the rates, persistence and depth of poverty in families with babies and pre-school children in the UK. The report includes analysis by the JosephRowntreeFoundation on the extent of the problem, which found that 1.3 million children under five in the UK are living in poverty. The report also sets out findings from a survey of 1,400 families living on low incomes in the UK
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report explores the rates, persistence and depth of poverty in families with babies and pre-school children in the UK. The report includes analysis by the JosephRowntreeFoundation on the extent of the problem, which found that 1.3 million children under five in the UK are living in poverty. The report also sets out findings from a survey of 1,400 families living on low incomes in the UK, including: 52% said that housing conditions had a negative impact on their child's development or health, 47% of racial minority families with a child under 5 are in poverty and 55% of single parent families with a child under 5 are in poverty; 43% respondents said they don't live somewhere that meets their family's needs and 52% said that they do not live somewhere that has enough space for their family. Recommendations for the UK government include: fund early years support services and support services for new parents and invest in affordable quality childcare.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
babies, poverty, pre-school children, families, low income, child development, single parent families, black and minority ethnic people, child care, housing, service provision;
This is the 2020/21 edition of JRF’s annual report on the nature and scale of poverty across the UK and how it affects people. It highlights early indications of how poverty has changed in our society since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the situation revealed by the latest poverty data, collected before the coronavirus outbreak. It examines overall changes to poverty, with sections looking at the impact of work, the social security system and housing. Before coronavirus, 14.5 million people in the UK were caught up in poverty, equating to more than one in five people. Child poverty and in-work poverty had been on the rise for several years and some groups were disproportionately likely to be pulled into poverty. Many of those groups already struggling most to stay afloat have also borne the brunt of the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. These include: part-time workers, low-paid workers and sectors where there are much higher rates of in-work poverty, such as accommodation and food services; Black, Asian and minority ethnic households; lone parents – mostly women, many of whom work in hard-hit sectors – who are more reliant on local jobs, and are more likely to have struggled with childcare during lockdown; private renters, who have higher housing costs, and social renters, who tend to have lower incomes, both leading to higher poverty rates; areas of the UK where there were already higher levels of unemployment, poverty and deprivation. The report calls on the Government to be bold and compassionate as it decides how to redesign policies on work, social security and housing so that they work better for everyone after coronavirus.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This is the 2020/21 edition of JRF’s annual report on the nature and scale of poverty across the UK and how it affects people. It highlights early indications of how poverty has changed in our society since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the situation revealed by the latest poverty data, collected before the coronavirus outbreak. It examines overall changes to poverty, with sections looking at the impact of work, the social security system and housing. Before coronavirus, 14.5 million people in the UK were caught up in poverty, equating to more than one in five people. Child poverty and in-work poverty had been on the rise for several years and some groups were disproportionately likely to be pulled into poverty. Many of those groups already struggling most to stay afloat have also borne the brunt of the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. These include: part-time workers, low-paid workers and sectors where there are much higher rates of in-work poverty, such as accommodation and food services; Black, Asian and minority ethnic households; lone parents – mostly women, many of whom work in hard-hit sectors – who are more reliant on local jobs, and are more likely to have struggled with childcare during lockdown; private renters, who have higher housing costs, and social renters, who tend to have lower incomes, both leading to higher poverty rates; areas of the UK where there were already higher levels of unemployment, poverty and deprivation. The report calls on the Government to be bold and compassionate as it decides how to redesign policies on work, social security and housing so that they work better for everyone after coronavirus.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, low income, inequalities, Covid-19, conditions of employment, black and minority ethnic people, housing;
This viewpoint contextualises for Northern Ireland the main findings from a number of recently published reports from the JosephRowntreeFoundation on poverty and ethnicity. The research identified four main themes that shape experiences of poverty among different ethnic minority groups: employment, education, provision of services and caring. Northern Ireland is a disadvantaged region relative
(Edited publisher abstract)
This viewpoint contextualises for Northern Ireland the main findings from a number of recently published reports from the JosephRowntreeFoundation on poverty and ethnicity. The research identified four main themes that shape experiences of poverty among different ethnic minority groups: employment, education, provision of services and caring. Northern Ireland is a disadvantaged region relative to the rest of the UK, with the second highest level of workless households of all UK regions. Inequality and segregation in the employment market are obstacles to people from ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland moving out of poverty – those particularly affected are people from the Black community and the post-2004 accession countries. The paper highlights the challenges faced by Travellers and nomadic communities such as the Roma and suggests solutions such as the importance of improvements in the quality and availability of language support and training.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, ethnicity, travellers, Gypsies, black and minority ethnic people;
This report looks in detail across ethnic groups and different aspects of life to examine the links between ethnicity and poverty in Wales. It draws on previous research and statistical data to analyse why some ethnic groups earn more, have higher qualifications, make more effective use of services and are better able to prosper in different places. Areas discussed include: employer behaviour and workplace culture; places and local labour markets; caring and earning; social networks; poverty through the recession; occupational and residential patterns; and employment projections for 2020. The authors look at the implications and make recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and citizens. Recommendations include finding ways to better engage with disadvantaged groups; integrating interventions to address ethnic inequality across mainstream programmes; and using early intervention and prevention approaches; shaping labour market activity, and using evidence of what works to tackle barriers caused by racism and discrimination.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report looks in detail across ethnic groups and different aspects of life to examine the links between ethnicity and poverty in Wales. It draws on previous research and statistical data to analyse why some ethnic groups earn more, have higher qualifications, make more effective use of services and are better able to prosper in different places. Areas discussed include: employer behaviour and workplace culture; places and local labour markets; caring and earning; social networks; poverty through the recession; occupational and residential patterns; and employment projections for 2020. The authors look at the implications and make recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and citizens. Recommendations include finding ways to better engage with disadvantaged groups; integrating interventions to address ethnic inequality across mainstream programmes; and using early intervention and prevention approaches; shaping labour market activity, and using evidence of what works to tackle barriers caused by racism and discrimination.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, ethnicity, black and minority ethnic people, employment, education, prevention, labour market, social networks;
Examines policy and practice in Scotland and makes recommendations about how to tackle poverty among all ethnic groups. Overall, poverty is higher among ethnic minority groups than within the white majority population. The paper suggests that despite the clear overlap between the aims of the equalities and anti-poverty policy agendas there is a lack of integration between them. It finds that people from ethnic minority communities with good qualifications face greater barriers to finding work which matches their qualifications, compared with the majority white population. The paper concludes that forthcoming devolution of powers to Scotland could provide the Scottish government, local authorities and others with important new levers with which to tackle poverty and inequality across all ethnicities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Examines policy and practice in Scotland and makes recommendations about how to tackle poverty among all ethnic groups. Overall, poverty is higher among ethnic minority groups than within the white majority population. The paper suggests that despite the clear overlap between the aims of the equalities and anti-poverty policy agendas there is a lack of integration between them. It finds that people from ethnic minority communities with good qualifications face greater barriers to finding work which matches their qualifications, compared with the majority white population. The paper concludes that forthcoming devolution of powers to Scotland could provide the Scottish government, local authorities and others with important new levers with which to tackle poverty and inequality across all ethnicities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, ethnicity, black and minority ethnic people, equal opportunities, racial discrimination, employment;
This paper puts forward a set of recommendations for local authorities designed to support education-to-work transitions for ethnic minority youth, drawing on examples of best practice in Bristol, Nottingham and Tower Hamlets. There are three main advantages of local initiatives over national ones: they tend to be more accountable, more targeted to local demographics, and more sensitive to local employers. The recommendations comprise three areas: encouraging employers to recruit a more diverse workforce (demand side); working with employers and young people to broker opportunities (co-ordination); and providing tailored support to ethnic minority young people (supply side). They include proposals to increase transparency about the ethnic composition of the local authority workforce and to encourage local contractors to do the same; to set up employer/ apprenticeship hubs with ethnic minority targets; and to support targeted provision for ethnic minority graduates looking to find work.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper puts forward a set of recommendations for local authorities designed to support education-to-work transitions for ethnic minority youth, drawing on examples of best practice in Bristol, Nottingham and Tower Hamlets. There are three main advantages of local initiatives over national ones: they tend to be more accountable, more targeted to local demographics, and more sensitive to local employers. The recommendations comprise three areas: encouraging employers to recruit a more diverse workforce (demand side); working with employers and young people to broker opportunities (co-ordination); and providing tailored support to ethnic minority young people (supply side). They include proposals to increase transparency about the ethnic composition of the local authority workforce and to encourage local contractors to do the same; to set up employer/ apprenticeship hubs with ethnic minority targets; and to support targeted provision for ethnic minority graduates looking to find work.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
black and minority ethnic people, young people, education, employment, equal opportunities, racial equality, case studies, local authorities, intervention;
This solution paper focuses on a selection of mainstream initiatives that have played an important role in supporting young people’s transitions into work and may help address the disparities in labour market outcomes that young people from ethnic minorities experience. It sets out a series of recommendations for improving support, offering a more effective route out of poverty and preventing later labour market disadvantage. The paper makes the case for strategies tailored to local priorities and needs, backed up by clearer accountability, further resources, and monitoring at national level. It suggests that Youth Transition Partnerships should be established, bringing together key local actors, with a remit to tackle ethnic and socio-economic disparities. As there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of targeted employment initiatives for ethnic minority groups the paper recommends that the government commit to funding robust evaluations of such initiatives over the longer term. In addition, it argues that there should be an independent review of careers guidance policy accompanied by a commitment from government to provide dedicated funding so that schools can deliver quality careers services. The paper concludes that the National Apprenticeship Service should continue to take the lead in raising awareness of apprenticeships, with initiatives targeting ethnic minority young people and their parents.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This solution paper focuses on a selection of mainstream initiatives that have played an important role in supporting young people’s transitions into work and may help address the disparities in labour market outcomes that young people from ethnic minorities experience. It sets out a series of recommendations for improving support, offering a more effective route out of poverty and preventing later labour market disadvantage. The paper makes the case for strategies tailored to local priorities and needs, backed up by clearer accountability, further resources, and monitoring at national level. It suggests that Youth Transition Partnerships should be established, bringing together key local actors, with a remit to tackle ethnic and socio-economic disparities. As there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of targeted employment initiatives for ethnic minority groups the paper recommends that the government commit to funding robust evaluations of such initiatives over the longer term. In addition, it argues that there should be an independent review of careers guidance policy accompanied by a commitment from government to provide dedicated funding so that schools can deliver quality careers services. The paper concludes that the National Apprenticeship Service should continue to take the lead in raising awareness of apprenticeships, with initiatives targeting ethnic minority young people and their parents.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
young people, black and minority ethnic people, ethnicity, employment, equal opportunities, case studies, intervention, outcomes;
This paper looks at how self-employment compares, and has changed, across ethnic groups in the UK. It draws on the existing literature and extensive quantitative work commissioned and published by the JosephRowntreeFoundation as part of its research programme on poverty and ethnicity. Self-employment has often been seen as a route to social mobility for ethnic minority groups, which
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper looks at how self-employment compares, and has changed, across ethnic groups in the UK. It draws on the existing literature and extensive quantitative work commissioned and published by the JosephRowntreeFoundation as part of its research programme on poverty and ethnicity. Self-employment has often been seen as a route to social mobility for ethnic minority groups, which are disproportionately more likely to be affected by poverty. However, this paper finds that although self-employment is increasing in the UK, this varies among ethnic groups. Self-employment rates have been falling amongst Indian and Chinese groups, whilst self-employment rates have risen among Pakistani men. The paper explores the motivation of different ethnic groups for going into self-employment: 'Pull factors’ which relate to the potential to get greater benefits from self-employment; and ‘push factors’ which relate to the difficulty of some groups from accessing well-paid jobs as employees. It is argued that high levels of self-employment among ethnic minority groups such as Indian and Chinese groups in the past, and in Pakistani groups today, are likely to be largely the result of ‘push factors’. Key implications for policy makers include: the need to tackle barriers to work to reduce poverty and increase employment; and to provide those in paid self-employment with advice and support with business growth, or for others, help in accessing alternative opportunities in employment.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
self-employment, ethnicity, black and minority ethnic people, poverty, South Asian people, unemployment, Chinese people, low income;
This evaluation looks at JRF’s Poverty and Ethnicity programme to date, including the scoping phase and phase 1. It assesses the research programme focus, the robustness and accessibility of the research outputs so far, and the relative strengths of different dissemination techniques to be set against the evolving policy context in the UK nations, exploring how the programme can maximise its influence and impact. The programme aims to increase understanding of the relationships between poverty and ethnicity and use this to develop more effective ways of tackling poverty across ethnic groups. Phase 1 of the programme of research built on the six areas identified in developing the programme: education, work, caring, social networks, the role of places and inequality within ethnic groups. In addition to these, the JRF funded studies of poverty and ethnicity in Scotland, Wales and in Northern Ireland. The initial scoping phase that preceded the formal programme involved consulting people across a wide range of sectors and places in order to identify key issues for the programme, understand the context and begin building networks and partnerships.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This evaluation looks at JRF’s Poverty and Ethnicity programme to date, including the scoping phase and phase 1. It assesses the research programme focus, the robustness and accessibility of the research outputs so far, and the relative strengths of different dissemination techniques to be set against the evolving policy context in the UK nations, exploring how the programme can maximise its influence and impact. The programme aims to increase understanding of the relationships between poverty and ethnicity and use this to develop more effective ways of tackling poverty across ethnic groups. Phase 1 of the programme of research built on the six areas identified in developing the programme: education, work, caring, social networks, the role of places and inequality within ethnic groups. In addition to these, the JRF funded studies of poverty and ethnicity in Scotland, Wales and in Northern Ireland. The initial scoping phase that preceded the formal programme involved consulting people across a wide range of sectors and places in order to identify key issues for the programme, understand the context and begin building networks and partnerships.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
poverty, ethnicity, research, research dissemination, evaluation, black and minority ethnic people, socioeconomic groups;
This Viewpoint draws together research from Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Poverty and Ethnicity research programme, highlighting the implications for local authorities in the UK. With racism on the rise and poverty higher among all ethnic minority groups than White British people, this publication outlines the key points that should be addressed, and looks at the difference local authorities could make to ethnic minority progression through employment. It suggests that local policies and practice need to reflect the complex and varying relationships between poverty and ethnicity and should address the ‘softer’ issues – such as workplace culture, social networks and how we care for loved ones – which are surprisingly important in addressing poverty. Despite good policies, some local authorities are perceived as poor employers among ethnic minority groups, something supported by workforce statistics. Changing workplace culture and creating better opportunities for career progression could address this. Local authorities can also use procurement of goods and services to promote practices that reduce poverty. In addition they can promote demand for skills through their strategic role, their own workplace practices and encouraging suppliers and local employers to reflect it in their practices. Working together with voluntary, community and faith groups will help authorities to achieve more with limited resources.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This Viewpoint draws together research from Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Poverty and Ethnicity research programme, highlighting the implications for local authorities in the UK. With racism on the rise and poverty higher among all ethnic minority groups than White British people, this publication outlines the key points that should be addressed, and looks at the difference local authorities could make to ethnic minority progression through employment. It suggests that local policies and practice need to reflect the complex and varying relationships between poverty and ethnicity and should address the ‘softer’ issues – such as workplace culture, social networks and how we care for loved ones – which are surprisingly important in addressing poverty. Despite good policies, some local authorities are perceived as poor employers among ethnic minority groups, something supported by workforce statistics. Changing workplace culture and creating better opportunities for career progression could address this. Local authorities can also use procurement of goods and services to promote practices that reduce poverty. In addition they can promote demand for skills through their strategic role, their own workplace practices and encouraging suppliers and local employers to reflect it in their practices. Working together with voluntary, community and faith groups will help authorities to achieve more with limited resources.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ethnicity, employment, black and minority ethnic people, poverty, local authorities, commissioning, voluntary sector;