Relative Poverty Report Published

A report carried out on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions sets out to establish ‘How poor are the poor’ arguing the current measurement of relative poverty (below 60% of the median income) fails to distinguish between those living just under the poverty line and those who are in much deeper poverty. The authors argue that there are different dimensions to, and degrees of, poverty and that more should be looked at in determining its causes than simply a ‘headcount’ of those living below the poverty line. Without looking at the poverty gap, measures to improve the lives of those living in the most severe poverty will have no impact on the headcount of those living in poverty even though these measures will result in improved living standards.

Source: DWP

Tags: Policy, Research, poverty