Menu
10/07/2012
New Study Finds Families Now Need Minimum Of £36,000 Per Year
A couple with two children now need to earn £36,800 a year to have a "socially acceptable" standard of living, according to anti-poverty charity.
Families must now earn a third more than in 2008, the Joseph Rowntree Foundations annual minimum income study.
Rising childcare and transport costs, combined with cuts to benefits, have hit families hard, it added.
The minimum income standard (MIS) study - commissioned by the charity from the social policy research unit at Loughborough University - suggests a rising number of UK people live below what the public believes is an acceptable standard of living.
This MIS standard includes earning enough to eat a balanced diet, run a car and heat the home.
Researchers questioned 21 focus groups made up of working families, pensioners and single people of working age.
JRF chief executive Julia Unwin said families faced a "monumental task" to earn enough to get by.
"Parents facing low wages and pressure on their working time have little prospect of finding the extra money they need to meet growing household expenses.
"Many working people face the risk of sliding into poverty. It illustrates how anti-poverty measures are needed to address not just people's incomes but also the costs that they face."
The research also states that the level of Universal Credit - the government's new benefits system being brought in January 2013 - will strongly influence the ability of households to reach MIS.
(H)
Families must now earn a third more than in 2008, the Joseph Rowntree Foundations annual minimum income study.
Rising childcare and transport costs, combined with cuts to benefits, have hit families hard, it added.
The minimum income standard (MIS) study - commissioned by the charity from the social policy research unit at Loughborough University - suggests a rising number of UK people live below what the public believes is an acceptable standard of living.
This MIS standard includes earning enough to eat a balanced diet, run a car and heat the home.
Researchers questioned 21 focus groups made up of working families, pensioners and single people of working age.
JRF chief executive Julia Unwin said families faced a "monumental task" to earn enough to get by.
"Parents facing low wages and pressure on their working time have little prospect of finding the extra money they need to meet growing household expenses.
"Many working people face the risk of sliding into poverty. It illustrates how anti-poverty measures are needed to address not just people's incomes but also the costs that they face."
The research also states that the level of Universal Credit - the government's new benefits system being brought in January 2013 - will strongly influence the ability of households to reach MIS.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2011
Childcare Costs Force Poor Out Of Work
Families on low-incomes across the UK are having to turn down jobs or are considering leaving work because they can't afford to pay for childcare. New research from Save the Children and Daycare Trust also found that parents, regardless of income, say that they can't afford not to work, but struggle to pay for childcare.
Childcare Costs Force Poor Out Of Work
Families on low-incomes across the UK are having to turn down jobs or are considering leaving work because they can't afford to pay for childcare. New research from Save the Children and Daycare Trust also found that parents, regardless of income, say that they can't afford not to work, but struggle to pay for childcare.
11 June 2012
Ministers Expand 'Troubled Families' Scheme
Ministers have announced an expansion to a programme to tackle the problems of "troubled families". As part of the scheme local authorities get financial incentives to tackle some of the 120,000 families said to cost the taxpayer £9bn every year. Ministers have said they want to turn around these families' lives by 2015.
Ministers Expand 'Troubled Families' Scheme
Ministers have announced an expansion to a programme to tackle the problems of "troubled families". As part of the scheme local authorities get financial incentives to tackle some of the 120,000 families said to cost the taxpayer £9bn every year. Ministers have said they want to turn around these families' lives by 2015.
19 April 2012
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals. The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals. The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
20 March 2012
Badger Cull Scrapped
A controversial plan to cull badgers has been dropped by the Welsh government. The plan was hoped to wipe out bovine TB in cattle but environment minister John Griffiths said after carefully considering the scientific evidence he has instead opted to vaccinate the animals.
Badger Cull Scrapped
A controversial plan to cull badgers has been dropped by the Welsh government. The plan was hoped to wipe out bovine TB in cattle but environment minister John Griffiths said after carefully considering the scientific evidence he has instead opted to vaccinate the animals.
26 July 2006
Victory for Iraq families at Court of Appeal
The families of British soldiers killed in Iraq have made a legal breakthrough in their bid to get a full public inquiry held into why Britain entered into the conflict. The Court of Appeal ruled that the families were entitled to apply for a judicial review of the government's refusal to hold an independent inquiry.
Victory for Iraq families at Court of Appeal
The families of British soldiers killed in Iraq have made a legal breakthrough in their bid to get a full public inquiry held into why Britain entered into the conflict. The Court of Appeal ruled that the families were entitled to apply for a judicial review of the government's refusal to hold an independent inquiry.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Becoming dry and sunny along the east coast in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Showers gradually die out to leave good clear spells in the evening and overnight. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
