Our publications - 2024

UK benefit uptake among blind and partially sighted people This research report, produced for RNIB, looks at the UK benefit uptake among blind and partially sighted people, showing a substantial deficit in the take-up of disability benefits due to multiple barriers, including poor communication and the challenge of getting to face-to-face appointments. Around one in four blind and partially sighted people (83,000) in the UK are not getting disability benefits they are entitled to.
A Minimum Digital Living Standard for Households with Children - Overall Findings Report This report brings together findings from the three-year UK Minimum Digital Living Standards (MDLS) research funded by the Nuffield Foundation, Nominet and the Welsh Government. The project sets a benchmark for what households with children need to feel included in the digital world around them, based on what parents and young people themselves say is required. It takes a holistic approach highlighting the importance of having adequate devices and internet connection, as well the skills necessary to be confident and safely digitally included. The report provides findings on the development of MDLS and what it contains, survey and mapping data on where households are in relation to MDLS, and interviews and discussions with stakeholder organisations and families on varying needs and the challenges households face in meeting MDLS. Yates, S., Hill, K., Blackwell, C., Davis, A., Padley, M., Stone, E., Polizzi, G., D’Arcy, J., Harris, R., Sheppard, P., Singleton, A., Ye, Z., Carmi, E. and Garikipati, S. (2024) A Minimum Digital Living Standard for Households with Children: Overall Findings Report. Liverpool: University of Liverpool.
Debt, poverty and living standards in Great Britain Stone, J., Robinson, E., Blackwell, C. and Padley, M. (2024) Debt, poverty and living standards in Great Britain. Bradford: Christians Against Poverty
The Cost of a Child in Scotland in 2023 Stone, J. (2024) The Cost of a Child in Scotland in 2023. Glasgow: Child Poverty Action Group Scotland
Households living below a Minimum Income Standard: 2008-2022 The latest in a series of reports from the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University shows that nearly half of working-age households with incomes below the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) are those where all adults are employed. Households living below a Minimum Income Standard: 2008 to 22 is part of ongoing work funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), setting out what the public agree everyone needs to live with dignity in the UK today. The report shows that among households that don’t have the income needed for a socially acceptable standard of living, 64% are households where there is some work, and 46% are households where all adults are employed. Children remain the group most likely to be living below MIS, with 42% living in households with inadequate income. Although pensioners are the least likely to be in a household below MIS, they have seen a sharp increase in risk since 2008-2009, with the proportion below MIS increasing from 13% to 21% in 2021-2022. Padley, M., Stone, J. and Robinson, E. (2024) Households living below a Minimum Income Standard: 2008-2022. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
A Minimum Income Standard for non-resident parents with some responsibilities for children This report presents new research looking at the costs a non-resident parent faces when caring for a child on a regular basis including regular overnight stays. The research identifies substantial additional costs where meeting the needs of their child involves a non-resident parent providing a suitable home, doing things together, maintaining their relationship and the child’s wellbeing. The report highlights that the majority of costs are fully additional, such as the need to pay more for accommodation, and are not offset by equivalent savings for a primary carer. It provides recommendations for the social security system to recognise the role of non-resident parents who have children to stay overnight and to take some account of the additional financial responsibilities this involves. Hill, K. and Hirsch, D. (2024) A Minimum Income Standard for non-resident parents with some responsibilities for children. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Retirement living standards in the UK in 2023 The latest update to the Retirement Living Standards shows an increase in the cost of retirement driven both by changes in the UK public's expectations and increases to the cost-of-living. Our research reveals the impact of price rises on retired households and what they need for a minimum, moderate and comfortable standard of living. Over the last two years the price of food and energy has increased substantially. At the same time the Retirement Living Standards capture subtle changes in people’s priorities and the increasing importance they place on spending time with family and friends outside of the home. These changes in costs and expectations are reflected in the updated levels. Padley, M., Blackwell, C., Davis, A., Hill, K. and Stone, J. (2024) Retirement living standards in the UK in 2023. London: Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association
The impact of school challenges on parental employment among families with children on the autism spectrum Families raising children on the autism spectrum often experience financial pressures, including lower incomes linked to reduced parental employment participation. Although the literature identifies many school challenges for children on the autism spectrum and their families, the evidence analysing the impact of school challenges on parental employment is sparse. This paper presents findings from in-depth interviews conducted with 19 families living in England, Scotland and Wales to explore their perspectives on the impact of school on parental paid employment. School support and staff understanding can be critical for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Lacking school support was found to contribute to eventual formal and informal school exclusions as well as child school refusal. These manifestations of unmet school needs meant that parents frequently experienced employment interruptions, exacerbating both financial pressures (the risk of losing work pay) and temporal pressures (for example, making up for lost working time). Blackwell, C. (2024) The impact of school challenges on parental employment among families with children on the autism spectrum. Disability & Society Journal. DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2024.2313096