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Household incomes in UK 'may return to 2005 levels' Household incomes in UK 'may return to 2005 levels'
(40 minutes later)
  
Households in the UK may be facing the biggest drop in income for 30 years, a leading economic think tank has warned.Households in the UK may be facing the biggest drop in income for 30 years, a leading economic think tank has warned.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said average take-home incomes had actually increased during the recent recession. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said median take-home incomes had actually increased during the recent recession.
But the institute's analysis of latest government figures suggested it was "entirely possible" that median incomes dropped by 3% in 2010-11.But the institute's analysis of latest government figures suggested it was "entirely possible" that median incomes dropped by 3% in 2010-11.
The policy group said such a fall would leave median income levels back where they were in 2005.The policy group said such a fall would leave median income levels back where they were in 2005.
'Pain delayed''Pain delayed'
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) the squeeze from the recession on household incomes in the UK is only now being felt.According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) the squeeze from the recession on household incomes in the UK is only now being felt.
While new data shows average incomes rising faster than inflation in 2008-10, it says in the 2010-11 fiscal year they may have undershot.While new data shows average incomes rising faster than inflation in 2008-10, it says in the 2010-11 fiscal year they may have undershot.
The IFS also said child poverty had fallen but not by enough to meet the old Labour government's target.The IFS also said child poverty had fallen but not by enough to meet the old Labour government's target.
Tony Blair's government said it would halve child poverty by 2010, but the IFS said that it would only have fallen by a quarter.Tony Blair's government said it would halve child poverty by 2010, but the IFS said that it would only have fallen by a quarter.
IFS researcher economist Wenchao Jin said: "The figures tell a story of pain delayed, but not pain avoided. IFS research economist Wenchao Jin said: "The figures tell a story of pain delayed, but not pain avoided.
"Average living standards rose over the recent recession, likely to be driven by large increases in benefits and tax credit rates."Average living standards rose over the recent recession, likely to be driven by large increases in benefits and tax credit rates.
"However, this type of growth cannot be sustained in the long term, and the outlook for incomes in 2010-11 is considerably bleaker, with the long-term effects of the recession on living standards delayed rather than avoided.""However, this type of growth cannot be sustained in the long term, and the outlook for incomes in 2010-11 is considerably bleaker, with the long-term effects of the recession on living standards delayed rather than avoided."
Lagging benefitsLagging benefits
The data, from the Department for Work and Pensions, showed median incomes rose 1% above the rate of inflation in the 2009-10, after also having risen above inflation the previous fiscal year. The data, from the Department for Work and Pensions, showed median incomes rose 1% above the rate of inflation in 2009-10, after also having risen above inflation the previous fiscal year.
The IFS attributed a large part of this "surprising" result to the way in which benefits are calculated.The IFS attributed a large part of this "surprising" result to the way in which benefits are calculated.
Benefits are indexed to inflation with a lag of several months.Benefits are indexed to inflation with a lag of several months.
As inflation fell during the recession, it meant that benefits rose each year much faster than the then-current inflation rate.As inflation fell during the recession, it meant that benefits rose each year much faster than the then-current inflation rate.
But during the last fiscal year the effect was reversed - inflation took off rapidly, whereas benefits continued to be indexed to the earlier, lower inflation rate.But during the last fiscal year the effect was reversed - inflation took off rapidly, whereas benefits continued to be indexed to the earlier, lower inflation rate.
Other data showed that earnings undershot inflation by 3.8% during the first 11 months of the year.Other data showed that earnings undershot inflation by 3.8% during the first 11 months of the year.
The IFS said that if its forecast of a 3% fall in median incomes in 2010-11 was correct it would be the biggest such fall since 1981 and would bring the median income back down to its level of 2004-05.The IFS said that if its forecast of a 3% fall in median incomes in 2010-11 was correct it would be the biggest such fall since 1981 and would bring the median income back down to its level of 2004-05.
In March, a study by the IFS and the BBC said that median incomes in the UK had fallen by 1.6% a year between 2008 and 2011.In March, a study by the IFS and the BBC said that median incomes in the UK had fallen by 1.6% a year between 2008 and 2011.
Poverty ratesPoverty rates
In the new report, the institute also looked at the Labour government's record on reducing poverty in the UK.In the new report, the institute also looked at the Labour government's record on reducing poverty in the UK.
Relative poverty rates for the elderly and children did fall during Labour's 13 years in government - thanks largely to benefits rising above the rate of inflation - and are now at their lowest levels since the 1980s.Relative poverty rates for the elderly and children did fall during Labour's 13 years in government - thanks largely to benefits rising above the rate of inflation - and are now at their lowest levels since the 1980s.
But among working-age adults without children, poverty has risen to new highs.But among working-age adults without children, poverty has risen to new highs.
It also found that overall income inequality had not improved, remaining near its highest level since records began in the 1960s.It also found that overall income inequality had not improved, remaining near its highest level since records began in the 1960s.