Research and surveys on the impact that rising costs of living and interest rates are having on the finances, spending, health and wellbeing of low-income households.
Record numbers of families are still struggling to afford the essentials, living standards remain under pressure, and government action on incomes, housing, energy and economic security is needed to give people genuine financial breathing space.
Our goal is for decision makers to be aware of how those on the lowest incomes are faring, so they can understand the knock-on impact of rising costs. And we're campaigning for an affordable energy allowance to help provide stability to low income households.
The JRF cost of living tracker is a survey of 4,000 households created to monitor the living standards of low-income households in the UK. It focuses on the financial situation of families, including whether they are falling behind on bills or using loans to get by. It also looks at families ability to meet their costs for essentials like food, energy, housing, and transport — items that make up a larger share of spending for people on low-incomes.
The tracker aims to show how changing economic conditions affect low-income households, and highlights the experiences of different demographic groups who do not experience hardship equally.
