Poverty and ethnicity

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, how the two are linked is 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

During 2010/11, JRF undertook an in-depth scoping project to provide the basis for a new programme of work. The scoping work included:

• 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.
• Discussions with stakeholders in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

To read the reports from this programme of work, see Key publications (right).

A fuller programme of work looking at the relationship between Poverty and Ethnicity was launched in 2011. For more information, read our Investigations summary. Projects in the first phase of this programme are underway.

Commissioned projects:

• Review of the evidence on Poverty and Ethnicity in Northern Ireland: Commissioned to a team led by Dr Alison Wallace (York University) and Dr. Ruth McAreavey (Queens University Belfast) – publishing February 2013
• Poverty and Ethnicity in Wales: Commissioned to a team led by Ian Bottrill (ContinYou Cymru) and Dr Duncan Holtom (People and Work Unit) – reporting early 2013
• Review of existing data sources on poverty and ethnicity in Wales and Northern Ireland: Commissioned to Dr David Owen and Anne Green (Institute for Employment Research, Warwick University) – reporting early 2013
• Employer Workplace Practices: Commissioned to a team led by Dr Gina Netto (Heriot Watt University) and Dr Maria Hudson – reporting Spring 2013
• Local Labour Markets: Commissioned to a team led by Hilary Metcalf (National Institute for Economic and Social Research) – reporting Spring 2013
• In-depth investigation of poverty and economic and social mobility across ethnic groups in Northern Ireland: Commissioned to RSM McClure Watters, in association with Dr Ruth McAreavey at Queen's University, Belfast
• Caring and Earning: Commissioned to a team led by Dr Omar Khan (Runnymede Trust) – reporting early Summer 2013
• Social Networks: In the process of commissioning to a team led by Angus McNabe (Third Sector Research Centre) – reporting early Summer 2013