Poverty and Social Exclusion
Reporting research, examining policy, stimulating debate
Research
PSE past results
The current research builds on the work of the Poverty and Social Exclusion survey in Britain in 1999, the Poverty and Social Exclusion survey in Northern Ireland in 2002/3 and of the Breadline Britain surveys in 1983 and 1990. These surveys developed the consensual method of measuring poverty based on the public perception of necessities.
During that time, deprivation in Britain rose sharply. Looking at those households lacking three or more necessities because they could not afford them:
- In 1983: 14% of households had an enforced lack of three or more necessities
- In 1990: 21% of households had an enforced lack of three or more necessities
- In 1999: 22% of households had an enforced lack of three or more necessities
The 2002/3 survey in Northern Ireland found higher levels of poverty there than in the rest of the United Kingdom:
- In 2002/3: nearly 31.70% of households in Northern Ireland had an enforced lack of three or more necessities.
The statistical analyses carried out on the Breadline Britain surveys and the PSE Northern Ireland survey found that the poverty threshold – that is the point which best distinguishes between 'poor' and 'not poor' households – fell at a lack of three or more necessities. The PSE 1999 survey found the threshold to be at two or more necessities; 32% of households lacked two or more necessities.
The PSE 1999 study proceeded to refine this definition by carrying out further statistical analysis on the group below the threshold to exclude those who, though deprived, had higher levels of income. The PSE study in Northern Ireland also proceeded to exclude from those who fell below the threshold, those on higher incomes. Using this 'combined' deprivation and income measure of those in poverty, these PSE surveys found:
- 25% of households in Britain in 1999 were living ‘in poverty’
- 29.6% of households in Northern Ireland in 2002/3 were living ‘in poverty’
Breadline Britain 1983 provides a summary of the results of the 1983 survey.
Breadline Britain in the 1990s provides a summary of the results of the 1990 survey.
Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain 1999 home page at Bristol University provides details of that research. The full report Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain by Gordon et al. was published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 2000.
The Poverty and Social Exclusion in Northern Ireland 2002/3 survey key findings are published in Bare Necessities by Paddy Hillyard et al. (Democratic Dialogue, 2003). In addition, the research team published a range of bulletins and working papers on:
Necessities survey
The Poverty and Social Exclusion surveys pioneered using public opinion to set minimum living standards. We are again asking people which items and activities from a range of aspects of our living standards should be seen as necessities.
It would be great if you could take part. Any personal details will be kept completely confidential.
PSE News
Children's well being
Around half a million children in the UK in the eight to 15 age range have a low sense of well-being at any one time according to a major research study by The Children's Society.
Around half a million children in the UK in the eight to 15 age range have a low sense of well-being at any one time according to a major research study by The Children's Society.
Niemietz review
A New Understanding of Poverty by Kristian Niemietz suggests decoupling poverty measures from economic growth. Stewart Lansley and Joanna Mack take issue.
A New Understanding of Poverty by Kristian Niemietz suggests decoupling poverty measures from economic growth. Stewart Lansley and Joanna Mack take issue.
Redefining poverty?
The Government, having missed the legal deadline as required by the 2010 Child Poverty Act, is expected to publish its Child Poverty Strategy shortly. In the meantime, there has been much speculation about its plans. Will it downgrade the goal of abolishing financial poverty? Stewart Lansley sets the background
The Government, having missed the legal deadline as required by the 2010 Child Poverty Act, is expected to publish its Child Poverty Strategy shortly. In the meantime, there has been much speculation about its plans. Will it downgrade the goal of abolishing financial poverty? Stewart Lansley sets the background
The ‘squeezed middle’ and the ‘poor’
Middle and low income households have missed out on increases in prosperity in the last three decades with the gains going to the rich. As a result the numbers vulnerable to poverty are rising, argues Stewart Lansley.
Middle and low income households have missed out on increases in prosperity in the last three decades with the gains going to the rich. As a result the numbers vulnerable to poverty are rising, argues Stewart Lansley.
Contact us
If you'd like to stay in touch with our research, make comments or suggest ideas, please contact us.
PSE 2011 is a major collaboration between the University of Bristol, Heriot-Watt University, The Open University, Queen's University Belfast, University of Glasgow and the University of York working with the National Centre for Social Research and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
An ESRC Research Programme
