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Public attitudes towards domestic poverty

It could be attributed to the long-term buoyancy of the UK economy and the prosperity enjoyed by many, or equally to the tighter fiscal situation that followed. Either way, there is a recognisable trend that the general public is becoming less supportive of those living in domestic poverty. However, nearly one fifth of the population still live in ‘relative’ poverty. In addition, a significant proportion of people view the welfare state as a ‘club’ to which people belong, and that it is wrong for people to benefit from services which they have not helped pay for. This is an attitude also mirrored in views on immigrants. Welfare services cuts in the 2010 budget will have raised the impact of this driver. Changing the benefit structure will arguably place those who need them in a more dire situation.

What are the implications?

• Decreased support for public services targeted at those in poverty may lead to an increase in the role | of the VCS in public service delivery as VCOs pick up the pieces from a slimmed down welfare state. This could become even more pertinent as the big society agenda develops.
• As increased global migration and an ageing population place even greater demands on the welfare state in the future, there may be even greater support for a system of benefits that are awarded to those who have earned them through the tax system.
• Reduction of welfare provisions and services may lead to higher levels of poverty and inequality, social fragmentation, marginalisation and unrest.
• VCOs may need to consider their place and role in helping to create a just and equal civil society.
• Decreased support for public services targeted at those in poverty may lead to an increase in the role of the VCS in public service delivery as VCOs pick up the pieces from a slimmed down welfare state.
• If the ‘club’ mentality spreads to attitudes towards charitable or corporate giving, it could mean less support for already marginalised groups of people.
• An increased focus on a society of self-reliance and personal responsibility.
• Decreased support for domestic poverty may also impact on organisations that work in these areas; in terms of numbers of volunteers and support for campaigns.
• Further global interconnectedness is likely to lead to increased awareness of poverty abroad which may mean attitudes towards poverty in the UK become even less sympathetic.

Moving forward

• Does your organisation have a role to play in addressing inequality and giving a voice to marginalised communities and groups?
• Can you provide activities that contribute to a cohesive and inclusive society?
• How can your organisation communicate differently about poverty in accordance with people’s shifting attitudes? Might communication strategies focusing on quality of life and equality of opportunity be more successful in future?

Want to know more?

Attitudes to Poverty: Findings from the British Social Attitudes Survey

Published by: Joseph Rowntree Foundation – a think tank

Date: 2007

Format: PDF

What is it?

A report on the results of the British Social Attitudes survey. It gives a summary of common attitudes, as well as profiling by demographic categories, such as age and education.

How useful is this?

The commentary is useful, giving a useful interpretation of the survey findings. Core statistics are provided and the report’s conclusions are based on appropriate statistical analyses.

Public Attitudes to Child Poverty

Published by: Department of Work and Pensions – a Government department

Date: 2008

Format: PDF

What is it?

A research summary of a survey on attitudes to poverty. The survey examined attitudes on levels of general and child poverty, on the reasons behind poverty; benefits; low-pay income; and who is responsible for poverty.

How useful is this?

As a snapshot of attitudes, this report is a helpful resource. The survey is based on a sample of 1500 UK adults. The analysis includes statistical significance testing, which takes the report beyond the merely descriptive.

Working out of poverty: A study of the low-paid and the ‘working poor’

Published by: Institute for Public policy Research – a left-of-centre think tank

Date: January 2008

Format: PDF

What is it?

This is a report focused on the working poor. It provides background data as well as a discussion of relevant policy. In particular, it examines: the context of low pay; recommendations on minimum wage; the link between low pay and poverty; and Tax Credits.

How useful is this?

This is focused more on poverty itself, rather than attitudes. However, it provides data and a wide-ranging discussion of working poverty as well as a useful list of references for further reading.

Engaging public support for eradicating UK poverty

Published by: Joseph Rowntree Foundation – a think tank

Date: 2009

Format: PDF (160KB)

What is it? A report examining public attitudes to poverty, how these attitudes differ between disparate groups of people, what influences them, and how to build upon these methods of influence in order to increase support for anti-poverty measures.

How useful is this? This report presents a good overview of the current state of attitudes toward domestic poverty in the UK.  It suggests that while public support does not always translate into policy change, greater levels of support is certainly more likely to lead to “sustained and increased action by all levels of the government” in tackling UK based poverty.  It touches upon the power of the media in influencing opinion but also the general lack of attention paid to poverty within the UK – preferring to focus on the developing world when mentioning poverty at all.  It goes on to suggest that there are gaps, even within third sector organisations, in activity to change public attitudes; focussing instead on policy change.  Approaches needed include co-operation between third sector organisations and the media to reduce coverage gaps and build support for UK based poverty and inequality debates.

Opportunities for upward social mobility limited by the recession

Published by: Ipsos MORI

Date: 2009

Format: Web and PDF

What is it? Summarised and compiled results examining public attitudes towards social mobility and how these attitudes have changed since 2008 – indicating the impact of the recession.

How useful is this? This easily accessible survey report looks at the increasing pessimism of the British public toward social mobility within society.  This is of course heavily linked to the economic downturn, with a 16% drop in agreement with the idea that “people have equal opportunities to get ahead”, and a rise in the amount who think “opportunities are too low”.  These results suggest that public attitudes to UK poverty are becoming more sympathetic in the wake of the recession; they contrast with widely published figures in think tank discussions suggesting large proportions of people higher up on the social ladder fail to adequately engage with ideas of domestic poverty, placing blame at the foot of the individual rather than a lack of opportunity.

Other comments: The trends and charts PDF presents the best overview, complete with charts and analysis, of the results examined.