Minimum Income Standards

Living standards are being squeezed – and single people without children are the group to be worried about, says Katie Schmuecker.

Economic reality means the Living Wage can’t be compulsory. But paying it improves the lives of workers and shows social responsibility, says Shaun Rafferty.

Donald Hirsch illustrates the effect of inflation on our real cash incomes.

Since 2008, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has been publishing its annual Minimum Income Standard for the UK, which shows how much money you need for an acceptable standard of living. This standard is based on the items and activities that a cross-section of ordinary members of the public agrees is needed to survive and take part in today’s society. Looking at the effects of tax and benefits on the budgets for different family types shows the wage you need to earn in order to have enough.

At a time of economic difficulties and cutbacks, many more people are concerned for their futures. The fact that the JRF website crashed (briefly) in the week we launched our updated Minimum Income Standard following 20,000-plus visits within hours, suggests the same.