A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2020
This annual update of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) considers the ability of low-income households to keep their heads above water, including the effect of recent benefit changes.
Researched by a team from the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) at Loughborough University, this report presents new findings in which parents identified what families with children need now to meet material needs and participate in society.
It is important to note that this research was completed before the lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, it does not capture its effect on social norms, expectations, lifestyles and any consequent impact on livelihoods and living costs. Future research will investigate the extent to which the pandemic may have changed what parents consider the minimum required to meet their material needs and participate in society.
Use our updated Minimum Income Calculator to work out whether you earn enough for an acceptable standard of living.
This report is part of the income, savings and debt topic.
Find out more about our work in this area.