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A time of need: exploring the changing poverty risk facing larger families in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Stewart, Kitty
  • Patrick, Ruth
  • Reeves, Aaron

Abstract

Despite its significance in determining poverty risk, family size has received little focus in recent social policy analysis. This paper provides a correction, focusing squarely on the changing poverty risk of larger families (those with three or more dependent children) in the UK over recent years. It argues that we need to pay much closer attention to how and why poverty risk differs according to family size. Our analysis of Family Resource Survey data reveals how far changes in child poverty rates since 1997 – both falling poverty risk to 2012/13 and increases since then – have been concentrated in larger families. Social security changes are identified as central: these have affected larger families most as they have a greater need for support, due to both lower work intensity and higher household needs. By interrogating the way policy change has affected families of different sizes the paper seeks to increase understanding of the effects of different poverty reduction strategies, with implications for policy debates in the UK and beyond. In providing evidence about the socio-demographics of larger families and their changing poverty risk it also aims to inform contested debates about the state’s role in providing financial support for children.

Suggested Citation

  • Stewart, Kitty & Patrick, Ruth & Reeves, Aaron, 2023. "A time of need: exploring the changing poverty risk facing larger families in the UK," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117388, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:117388
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/117388/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gerry Redmond, 2000. "Children in Large Families: Disadvantaged or Just Different?," LIS Working papers 225, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    2. Kerris Cooper & John Hills, 2021. "The Conservative Governments’ Record on Social Security: Policies, Spending and Outcomes, May 2015 to pre-COVID 2020," CASE - Social Policies and Distributional Outcomes Research Papers 10, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    child poverty; family size; larger families; cash benefits; social security; in-work poverty; CUP deal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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