Poverty in the United Kingdom

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Absolute_poverty_rates_(After_Housing_Costs)_in_the_UK,_1997-2014

Relative_poverty_rates_(After_Housing_Costs)_in_the_UK,_1996-2014

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Poverty in the United Kingdom

Poverty in the United Kingdom is a significant social issue that affects millions of people. It is characterized by the lack of sufficient income to maintain a standard of living that includes basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. Poverty can be measured in various ways, including relative poverty, absolute poverty, and material deprivation.

Definitions and Measurements

Poverty in the UK is often measured using the relative poverty threshold, which is defined as having an income less than 60% of the median household income. Another measure is absolute poverty, which is based on a fixed standard of what households should be able to afford. Material deprivation considers whether people can afford essential items and activities.

Causes of Poverty

Several factors contribute to poverty in the UK, including:

• Unemployment
• Low wages
• High cost of living
• Education inequality
• Health disparities
• Housing shortages

Impact of Poverty

Poverty has wide-ranging effects on individuals and society, including:

• Poor health outcomes
• Lower educational attainment
• Increased crime rates
• Social exclusion
• Mental health issues

Government Policies and Interventions

The UK government has implemented various policies to combat poverty, such as:

• Universal Credit
• National Living Wage
• Child Benefit
• Housing Benefit
• Free school meals

Statistics

According to recent statistics, approximately 14 million people in the UK live in poverty, including 4 million children and 2 million pensioners. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and other organizations regularly publish reports on poverty trends and statistics.

Related Issues

Poverty in the UK is closely linked to other social issues, including:

• Homelessness
• Food insecurity
• Social mobility
• Income inequality

See Also

• Welfare state in the United Kingdom
• Social exclusion
• Child poverty in the United Kingdom
• Homelessness in the United Kingdom
• Income inequality in the United Kingdom