1. Poverty & Inequality Who is at risk?

2. Poverty “a risk not a state” –many live on margins of poverty –move in & out of poverty –depending on prevailing economic & political conditions.

3. Lone-parent families most are women. Half million in 1970’s to 1.7 million today. Over 60% in poverty 2 overlapping reasons: –women from poorer backgrounds have high risk of becoming lone parents –have to be parent & money earner, take P/T jobs, low pay, childcare expenses

4. Children in poverty 1 in 4 children in poverty in 1997 40% born ‘poor’ 4.5 million 1998-9 Parents usually unemployed 10% of all children with 2 parents had neither in jobs 58% with lone parent with no job.

5. Unemployed 63% adults with incomes less than half average unemployed Long-term unemployed severest problems – loss of savings, old clothes, furniture & general possessions After 3 months unemployment disposable income drops by up to 59% Psychological effects: –loss of confidence, self-esteem, stress, depression –all reduce ability to regain employment

6. Low-paid 1999: 2 million over 25 earning less than half average male hourly rate Tend to have few skills Live in low employment areas – competition keeps wages low Many are women lone parents

7. Sick and Disabled 6.2 million adults (14%) suffer from 1+ disability 34% of these in poverty Average income 72% of non-disabled Many have higher expenses: –special diet, –special equipment.

8. Older People 18% pop n retired >65% of older are women Increasing life expectancy means more elderly 1.3million live on State Pension only (less than 20% of average male weekly wage) Many women don’t get full State Pension

9. Ethnic minorities Afro-Caribbean and Asians –much higher unemployment rates –qualifications may be same as majority of pop ulation More work in low wage jobs

10. Asylum Seekers Asylum seekers receive benefits below the basic benefits level.Asylum seekers A single adult receives only £37.77 per week in addition to accommodation and utilities – this is around 30% below the basic level of Income Support for a UK citizen Source: www.oxfamgb.org

11. Women Most poor in Britain are women Most of those in groups 1-7 above will be women 95% lone parents on State Benefits 3 x more women pensioners than men need additional state aid Less likely to have savings than men Less likely to get full state Most will have had low paid jobs all their lives