The Poverty Line in Britain Today
Approximately 27 per cent of the adult population (representing 1 million people) claim that their income is lower than the level they identified as being enough to keep a household like theirs out of poverty.
Approximately 27 per cent of the adult population (representing 1 million people) claim that their income is lower than the level they identified as being enough to keep a household like theirs out of poverty.
Most households put their income needs far higher than current rates of income support. (especially among those with children in the household). Lone parents and couples with up to three or more children all estimate their needs at more than twice the Income Support levels). The gap for pensioners is also wide. As many as 25 per cent of single pensioners say their actual income is "a lot below".
Although as many as 28 per cent of the population say it is very or fairly difficult to live on their household income, 16 per cent say their income is "a little below" the income defined as needed.
Social poverty is substantial. A large number of those interviewed define poverty as including consumption and social items as well as the bare necessities of survival or subsistence.
Technical details
The survey was conducted between 6-9 September 1996.The report, "The Poverty Line in Britain Today: What the Population Themselves Say", by Peter Townsend, Dave Gordon and Brian Gosschalk, is issued by the Bristol Statistical Monitoring Unit.
