Minimum Income Standard

A Minimum Income Standard for the UK in 2010 shows that people on low incomes face a much higher inflation rate than shown in the official Consumer Prices Index, which the Budget announced as the future basis for uprating benefits. This means that in real terms, people out of work, relying on these benefits, could become worse off. For people in work, the gap between the minimum wage and the wages needed for a minimum household budget has widened.

The Minimum Income Standard shows how much various households need in 2010 to reach a minimum standard of living, according to members of the public. A single person now needs to earn at least £14,400 a year to reach this standard, and a couple with two children £29,200. These have increased from £13,400 and £26,900 in the past two years.

You can read the report for yourself on The Joseph Rowntree website.