Ethnicity and poverty

Introduction

This programme aims to understand the underlying reasons for variations in low income and deprivation among different ethnic groups in the UK and the problems caused. It also aims to contribute towards solutions to these problems.

Key issues

Existing research shows that ethnicity clearly has a relationship with poverty. However the ways in which the two are linked are complex and the relationship between them is not yet well understood.

There are much higher levels of poverty among all ethnic minority groups than exists among the majority white population. However, great variations exist between ethnic minority groups and within them (as well as within the majority white population).

Explanations for the high levels of poverty among ethnic minority groups currently fall into three main areas:

• Work status and employment rates;
• In-work poverty;
• Out-of-work poverty.

Overview

In 2009, the JRF is undertaking an in-depth scoping project to provide the basis for a new programme of work.

The scoping work will include;

• Consultation with communities in a number of locations around the UK, involving a range of ethnic minority groups and white British/white Scottish communities.
• Working with 'experts' to identify what is currently known about a range of factors relating to ethnicity and poverty, and where there are key gaps in our knowledge.