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.
Niemietz review
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 ‘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.
Inequality illusion
Most people think they are relatively poorer than they actually are, with the best off being more likely to think they are actually in the middle of the income hierarchy. The poor have the best estimates of their relative position.
Inflation hits the poorest
The spending power of the poorest has fallen 10 per cent over the last decade and will continue to fall as the basic cost of living continues to rise, according to research commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Women lose out from government cuts
An analysis by the Women’s Budget Group of the gender impact of the government’s 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review concludes that it will fall disproportionately on women.
Poor to bear brunt of fiscal squeeze
Poverty will become more widespread when the coalition government's austerity measures kick in, writes Larry Elliott, Economics editor, The Guardian.
UK poverty set to rise
Child and working-age poverty in the UK is set to rise in the next three years according to projections from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies.
UK children are left behind
A new UNICEF report on child inequality in developed countries shows that children in the UK are more disadvantaged in terms of material well being than those in the large majority of other rich countries.
The Field Review
The final report of the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances, set up by the Prime Minster, David Cameron, and headed by Labour MP Frank Field, was published on 3 December 2010. The report argued for an expansion of provision for children in their early years and a downgrading of efforts to reduce income poverty.
All in this together?
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.
Third of Scots ‘living in fuel poverty’
A third of Scots households are unable to keep their homes warm, according to Scottish government figures.
Poverty ‘ups risk of violence more sharply for girls than boys’
A new study from Cardiff University of former industrial areas suggests that living in a deprived area increases the risk of violence more sharply for girls than boys.

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.

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