In his TV interview with Andrew Marr on 1st December, the Prime Minister argued that;
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Poverty forecast
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21/06/2012
The Necessities of Life in Northern Ireland
This working paper presents the opinions of the general public as to which items and activities are believed necessary in Northern Ireland today to enjoy a decent standard of living. It is based on an analysis of responses to a module in the Omnibus survey conducted in Northern Ireland in 2011. The responses are explored by key socio-demographic and economic variables to ascertain the extent of agreement among the general public as to their importance. While there are some differences of opinion between different groups in society, in general a very high degree of consensus on the necessities is evident. The survey findings confirm that the items and activities that are essential to achieve an acceptable standard of living in our society today and which all adults should be able to afford and not have to do without are both material and social in nature.
Category: Result analysis -
15/06/2012
‘Near-record’ drop in average incomes since recession
Average incomes have fallen by near-record amounts in the aftermath of the global economic recession, according to a think-tank report. Inequality has fallen back to levels last seen in the mid-1990s but only because the ‘poverty line’ has also been falling.
The analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies is based on the latest statistics for households with below-average income.
Category: Reports -
14/06/2012
Government strategy creating ‘perfect storm’ for low-income groups
The government’s austerity strategy is disproportionately hurting those on the lowest incomes, according to an Oxfam report. It describes a ‘perfect storm’ of factors – increasing unemployment, a lack of decent jobs, rising living costs, falling incomes and deep cuts to welfare and public services – hitting the most vulnerable people, both in and out of work.
The report combines an analysis of the recession’s effects with a series of policy recommendations.
Category: Reports -
14/06/2012
Households below average income – 2010/11 report
Reductions in relative poverty continued in 2010/11, according to the latest official figures. But unlike in previous years, this did not reflect rising absolute living standards among poorer households – instead, it reflected big falls in median incomes.
The annual report examines trends in the number of UK households on below-average incomes.
Category: Reports -
13/06/2012
Damaging effect of crisis on well-being in EU
Vulnerable groups in the EU have experienced a considerable drop in their well-being during the economic crisis, according to researchers in Dublin. The worst affected are those who are unemployed, elderly or retired, as well as those already suffering material deprivation.
The paper looks at whether the global crisis has affected the quality of life of EU citizens, over the period 2007–2010. ‘Quality of life’ reflects income, housing, health, education and employment, as well as family life, social capital, quality of public services, and subjective well-being.
Category: Reports -
11/06/2012
Independent assessments of the Budget Report
As background to the Budget, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) published a summary of recent analyses looking at the likely trends in household incomes over the next few years and, in particular, how they are likely to be affected by tax and benefit changes that are currently planned for 2012/13 (see IFS Briefing Note BN126). This found that households with children will lose most from tax and benefit changes in the coming year (see IFS press release).
The IFS also looked at the impact of changes to the tax threshold and the aim of increasing the personal tax threshold to £10,000 (see A £10,000 tax allowance: who would benefit, and would it boost the economy?). The IFS concludes:
Category: News stories -
07/06/2012
Cognitive Testing of the 2011 UK Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey
This paper summarises findings derived from a series of twenty cognitive interviews conducted with members of the UK general public in June and July 2011 as part of the design process for the PSE: UK main survey questionnaire. Cognitive interviewing is designed to identify cognition, recall, judgement and response problems associated with survey questions, as well as to identify any sensitivity issues arising for respondents. The aim of this work is to reduce misinterpretation and confusion created by unclear questions and thereby to help reduce measurement error in the estimates derived from the sample survey data.
Category: Methods development -
07/06/2012
Social Exclusion and Mental Health: Review of Literature and Existing Surveys
Mental health problems can impact on social exclusion as a result of lack of financial resources and because of the effects of illness, including low self-esteem, loss of social contacts due to hospitalisation or the impact of illness on sociability, or the stigma experienced by many of those affected by mental illness. However, poverty and social exclusion are also likely to lead to an increased risk of mental health difficulties, such as the result of stress or managing on a low income, living circumstances, local environment, discrimination and decreased opportunities for positive self-esteem. In this survey the primary approach will be to use a well-validated instrument, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12 to indicate the presence or absence of symptoms of what are often described as ‘common mental disorders (CMDs)’.
Category: Methods development -
07/06/2012
Indicators of Social Participation
This paper explores the definition of poverty, based on the concept that people are poor if they are prevented through lack of resources from carrying out obligations that are associated with their social role. The paper investigates which common social roles are found in social surveys and which activities are associated with these roles. It looks at ways of capturing participation in common social activities.
Category: Methods development -
07/06/2012
Public Perceptions of Poverty, Social Exclusion and Living Standards: Preliminary Report on Focus Group Findings
This report describes the results of a series of fourteen focus groups conducted as part of development work for the PSE: UK survey. This qualitative development work is intended to inform the design of both the necessities Omnibus module and the main-stage PSE living standards survey. This preliminary report focuses on participants’ perceptions of the ‘necessities of life’, i.e. those items and activities that everyone should be able to afford to have or to do in our society today and should not have to go without. The recommendations arising from this report will contribute to the selection of necessities indicators in the forthcoming Omnibus module.
Category: Methods development
