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Families need £36,800 to live acceptably, study says | Families need £36,800 to live acceptably, study says |
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A couple with two children now need to earn £36,800 a year to have a "socially acceptable" standard of living, an anti-poverty charity says. | A couple with two children now need to earn £36,800 a year to have a "socially acceptable" standard of living, an anti-poverty charity says. |
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said its annual minimum income study suggests families must earn a third more than in 2008, to live within social norms. | The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said its annual minimum income study suggests families must earn a third more than in 2008, to live within social norms. |
Rising childcare and transport costs, combined with cuts to benefits, have hit families hard, it added. | Rising childcare and transport costs, combined with cuts to benefits, have hit families hard, it added. |
The government said it was committed to helping the UK's "most vulnerable". | The government said it was committed to helping the UK's "most vulnerable". |
The minimum income standard (MIS) study - commissioned by the charity from the social policy research unit at Loughborough University - suggests a rising number of UK people live below what the public believes is an acceptable standard of living. | The minimum income standard (MIS) study - commissioned by the charity from the social policy research unit at Loughborough University - suggests a rising number of UK people live below what the public believes is an acceptable standard of living. |
This MIS standard includes earning enough to eat a balanced diet, run a car and heat the home. | This MIS standard includes earning enough to eat a balanced diet, run a car and heat the home. |
Researchers questioned 21 focus groups made up of working families, pensioners and single people of working age. | Researchers questioned 21 focus groups made up of working families, pensioners and single people of working age. |
A couple with two children were said to need to earn a minimum of £18,400 a year each before tax; single people £16,400 a year, while the figure for lone parent with one child is £23,900 and a pensioner couple £12,000 each. | A couple with two children were said to need to earn a minimum of £18,400 a year each before tax; single people £16,400 a year, while the figure for lone parent with one child is £23,900 and a pensioner couple £12,000 each. |
The study said families are being hit hard by a "dangerous cocktail" of rising costs and cuts in three main areas: | The study said families are being hit hard by a "dangerous cocktail" of rising costs and cuts in three main areas: |
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JRF chief executive Julia Unwin said families faced a "monumental task" to earn enough to get by. | JRF chief executive Julia Unwin said families faced a "monumental task" to earn enough to get by. |
"Parents facing low wages and pressure on their working time have little prospect of finding the extra money they need to meet growing household expenses. | "Parents facing low wages and pressure on their working time have little prospect of finding the extra money they need to meet growing household expenses. |
"Many working people face the risk of sliding into poverty. It illustrates how anti-poverty measures are needed to address not just people's incomes but also the costs that they face." | "Many working people face the risk of sliding into poverty. It illustrates how anti-poverty measures are needed to address not just people's incomes but also the costs that they face." |
The research also states that the level of Universal Credit - the government's new benefits system being brought in January 2013 - will strongly influence the ability of households to reach MIS. | The research also states that the level of Universal Credit - the government's new benefits system being brought in January 2013 - will strongly influence the ability of households to reach MIS. |
'Tough choices' | 'Tough choices' |
The charity's findings have been backed by Oxfam director of UK poverty Chris Johnes who said: "Yet again we are seeing evidence of working families being hit hardest by a perfect storm of soaring living costs and cuts to services and crucial support, like working tax credits. | The charity's findings have been backed by Oxfam director of UK poverty Chris Johnes who said: "Yet again we are seeing evidence of working families being hit hardest by a perfect storm of soaring living costs and cuts to services and crucial support, like working tax credits. |
"Millions of families are struggling to get by on dwindling incomes and even when both parents work full time they each need to earn 50% above the minimum wage, in order to provide a decent standard of living for their kids." | "Millions of families are struggling to get by on dwindling incomes and even when both parents work full time they each need to earn 50% above the minimum wage, in order to provide a decent standard of living for their kids." |
The government said it was forced to make "tough choices to repair the country's finances". | The government said it was forced to make "tough choices to repair the country's finances". |
A spokesperson said: "It is vital that we give young children the best start in life and that is why we are rolling out free early education, backed by more than £1bn, to help children and their parents. | A spokesperson said: "It is vital that we give young children the best start in life and that is why we are rolling out free early education, backed by more than £1bn, to help children and their parents. |
"We recognise that child care costs are an issue and that is why the prime minister launched a commission into this matter which will report back in the autumn. | "We recognise that child care costs are an issue and that is why the prime minister launched a commission into this matter which will report back in the autumn. |
"We are also introducing Universal Credit from 2013, which will simplify the system and ensure that work pays." | "We are also introducing Universal Credit from 2013, which will simplify the system and ensure that work pays." |
Are you finding it hard to make ends meet? Do you agree with the £36,800 figure? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |