On many measures the UK economy is successful and our average standard of living is one of the highest in the world. However, the proportion of people living in relative poverty rose dramatically after the mid 1970s and since the mid 1990s has remained at stubbornly high levels despite initiatives aimed at reducing it.

Content

Use of terms 4
Foreword 5
Introduction 6
Part I: Overview of the problems and principles for action 7
Poverty: The past 20 years 8
Tackling poverty and disadvantage: A 20-year enterprise 9
The factors behind poverty and disadvantage in the twenty-first century 10
Who is affected and why it matters 12
The central challenge: Reversing the growth in relative poverty  14
A broad-based strategy combining opportunity and support 16
Part II: Tackling disadvantage in six areas of policy 19
1  Education: Social inequalities matter more than ever 20
Tackling education: Focusing on disadvantage 22
2  Family poverty: Breaking the link with social exclusion 24
Tackling family poverty: A broad-based strategy 26
3  Unequal places: Disadvantage and geographic difference 28
Tackling geographic disadvantage: Developing the regions 30
4  Supporting incomes for vulnerable groups 32
Tackling income: Routes out of poverty 34
5  Housing: The twin crises of supply and affordability 36
Tackling housing: Facing reality 38
6  Long-term care: Meeting the growing demand 40
Tackling long-term care: Contain demand, but face the cost 42
Conclusion: A long-term commitment is affordable 44
Notes 45
References 46
Appendix: People consulted by JRF  48

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