Over One In Ten Londoners Say They Are Living Below The Poverty Line

Monday 05 June 2006

According to an Ipsos MORI survey on behalf of the Church Urban Fund (CUF) around one in ten (12%) Londoners say that they are living below what they estimate the poverty line to be.

There is a wide acceptance of the existence of poverty in Britain, although older people (over 64), who are likely to be pensioners and, arguably, more likely to be vulnerable to poverty, are more inclined than others to feel that poor people are to blame for their poverty (17%, compared with 10% overall). They are also more likely to think that there is no such thing as poverty in Great Britain (16%, compared with 8% overall).

The general public in England associate various social problems and issues with poverty in Britain, but particularly health-related conditions such as drug and alcohol dependency, housing-related problems and low income. The research findings indicate a broad understanding among the general public of social problems which might contribute to poverty in this country.

Topline Results

• The MORI Social Research Institute interviewed a representative sample of 2,333 adults aged 15+ across England
• Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using CAPI, as part of the MORI Omnibus
• Fieldwork was conducted on two waves of the Omnibus between 17-22 November (wave 1) and 1-5 December (wave 2) 2005
• Results are based on all respondents (2,333) unless otherwise stated
• Results are weighted to the known population profile of Great Britain
• An asterisk (*) denotes a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
• Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding

Q1 First of all, which, if any, social problems or issues do you associate with poverty in Britain?

Q2 Looking at this list, which one or two, if any, do you think is doing the most to tackle poverty nationally and locally in Britain?

Q3 As far as you know, what is the current official poverty line, in terms of pounds after tax in income per person, per week?

Q4 Looking at this card, how far above or below that level of income would you say your household is?

Q5 I am going to read out some statements, and for each one I would like you to tell me how strongly you agree or disagree with each.

• There is no such thing as poverty in Britain
• Poor people only have themselves to blame
• People who are poor tend to go unnoticed