Report into low income families shows how many are struggling 'Getting By'
MAYOR of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, is
set to launch a major new report into poverty next week, exploring the plight of
working families in the City.
The report:- "Getting By? A Year in the Life of 30 Working Families in
Liverpool"takes the form of 1st person testimonies from families with at
least 1 parent in low-paid employment.
Despite being in work, they still struggle to get by on the Minimum Income
Standard (MIS). This is the level deemed necessary to achieve an acceptable
basic standard of living, once wages, Tax Credits and in work benefits are
factored in.
The report explores how poverty, job insecurity, debt and low wages combine to
impact on their personal relationships and family life, as they struggle to
navigate the cost of living crisis.
Researchers followed the families' progress over a 12 month period, through
weekly spending diaries tracking their income and expenditure, followed up by
detailed face to face interviews. 'Getting By?' is modelled on Edwardian social reformer Beatrice Webb's
landmark Minority Report as part of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and
Relief of Distress in 1909, which argued that the poor were not the architects
of their plight.
The 164 page report will be officially launched at a meeting of the All Party
Parliamentary Group on Poverty on Tuesday, 24 March 2014.
Welcoming the publication of 'Getting By?' the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe
Anderson, said:- "The report is all the more eloquent and compelling
becomes it comes out of the mouths of those directly affected. It is simply
heart-breaking and maddening that so many people are struggling to get by like
this. It isn't their fault. These are proud working people, not 'scroungers'.
They are getting up for work every day so they can set an example to their kids.
'Getting By?' is a call to action and requires all politicians to focus
on alleviating the pressures on working families. We hear talk about 'making
work pay, but here we have tale after tale about how that just isn't
happening.
Liverpool is grappling with a 58% cut to our government grant between 2010 and
2017 so we're left dealing with a yawning gap and we simply don't have the tools
to deal with such deep seated problems.
While we are offering practical support to food banks and charities through
initiatives like the Mayoral Hope Fund, what the working poor in my City need is
real hope. Hope that there's an alternative to endless, grinding austerity."
Councillor Frank Hont, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Social
Inclusion, Fairness & Equalities, echoed the call:- "Liverpool is the
second worst hit City in terms of the Bedroom Tax. People here are telling us in
their own words how hard their lives have become struggling with austerity cuts,
low wages and workplace insecurity. It's a toxic mix and it puts unbelievable;
and unfair; stresses and strains on family life.
Back in 1975, 15% of workers were in low paid employment, now it's 22%. If we're
serious about supporting families who are struggling to balance work and family
life, then the politicians need to read; and heed; this report."
