Advertisement
Social Justice

More than 16 million people in poverty, report finds – with deprivation at highest level in decades

A third of children in the UK are living in poverty, a new study has found, with deprivation at the highest level since the start of the 21st century

More than 16 million people in the UK are living in poverty, a stark new report has found, as the government prepares to adopt a new definition of poverty which experts say could lead to better action.

Our understanding of poverty is usually based on two measures – absolute and relative poverty. ‘Relative’ counts anybody earning below 60% of the median wage. It is a measure of people who have fallen behind.

‘Absolute’ measures anybody whose income is below 60% of that needed to afford a standard of living set in 2011. It is a measure of how many people are below a defined standard of living, and is often counted after housing costs. This year, the UK saw the biggest rise in absolute poverty for 30 years.

A new metric developed by the Social Metrics Commission (SMC) takes a wider view, looking at unavoidable costs like rent, childcare and disability care, as well as assets. This is known as a “below average resources” look at poverty, as opposed to looking at average incomes.

Using the new metric, the report from the SMC also found that a quarter of the population and a third of all children are living in deprivation, the highest level so far in the 21st century. It increases the number of children counted as being in poverty from 3.6 million to 5.2 million. SMC also found that more than half of all people in poverty live in a family which includes a disabled person.

This means the proportion of the population counted as being in poverty has increased from 18% to 24%. But could a change in the way we measure poverty lead to a change in the way we deal with it?

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

“If we didn’t talk about it, we’d think everybody is OK. Which of course is the last government’s view, that we didn’t really have poverty in the UK anymore,” said Susan Harkness, professor of public policy at the University of Bristol. “Every measure of poverty gives a different number.”

The new statistics from SMC also found a majority of people living in poverty in the UK are in a household where somebody works. However, deep poverty was lower than it was before the pandemic.

The Conservative government suggested moving to the SMC’s measure of poverty before it lost power, and now the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under Labour will begin counting this way.

This will allow for a more rounded picture of the extent of poverty in the UK, said Marii Paskov, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol’s school for policy studies. Poverty in the UK also remains high by international standards, Paskov added.

However, had the measure been used all along, poverty would still have risen, with 2.1 million more people than if rates had stayed the same since before the pandemic.

Many Brits do not realise the gravity of the situation. Research in October found nearly half of Londoners underestimate the true extent of child poverty.

Poverty is deeply linked to inequality – after all, the way we count it is defined by how far someone is from an average income. Yet it presents specific challenges.

“The argument is always, well it’s not poverty it’s inequality. I think we should care about inequality anyway. But the more poverty we have, it leads to unequal opportunities for children,” said Harkness.

“You could regard it as, if people aren’t destitute and starving. Maybe they’re not poor. If that’s where you draw your line, that’s one perspective. The alternative perspective is poverty is relative, and therefore even if people are able to feed themselves and clothe themselves and survive, that doesn’t mean they’re not poor.”

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. This Christmas, you can make a lasting change on a vendor’s life. Buy a magazine from your local vendor in the street every week. If you can’t reach them, buy a Vendor Support Kit.

Big Issue is demanding an end to extreme poverty. Will you ask your MP to join us?

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits
Department for Work and Pensions

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds
London Trans+ Pride
LGBTQ+ rights

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds

Migrant care worker left homeless after being 'exploited' UK employer: 'It's a national scandal'
Cardboard and a sleeping bag, on the church premises where Joseph is sleeping
Immigration

Migrant care worker left homeless after being 'exploited' UK employer: 'It's a national scandal'

Five things we learned from Pope Francis' candid and historic Big Issue interview
Pope Francis

Five things we learned from Pope Francis' candid and historic Big Issue interview

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue