The government has consistently argued that under the government spending review those with the broadest backs would take the heaviest burden – that the package would conform to the principle of ‘progressive austerity’. However, two independent studies, the first by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the second by Tim Horton and Howard Reed for the TUC, challenge this assessment finding that the overall impact of the spending review is regressive.
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.
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
