Changing Poverty The paper analyses changes in poverty in Britain since 1997. A poverty level of 60 percent of median equivalised income is used. The first part examines the changes that occurred between 1996/7 and 2000/1 as shown by the Family Resources Survey, on which government estimates of Households Below Average Income are based. There was a small reduction in poverty overall and a larger proportionate fall in child poverty. This fall was attributable in part to increased employment and in part to changes in benefits and tax credits which increased for some, particularly for families on low earnings with children, but fell relative to median incomes for many of those without children and not in employment. The second part assesses policy changes implemented or announced for the period 2000/1 to 2003/4 by means of a micro-simulation model, POLIMOD, using a sample from the Family Resources Survey. The impact of policy changes is to reduce poverty compared to its prospects under previous policies. But, relative to a poverty level that rises in real terms in step with median incomes, future reductions in poverty are likely to be small. In order to keep on track towards the goal of halving child poverty by 2010, further policy measures will be required. "Changing Poverty Post-1997" by David Piachaud and Holly Sutherland is published by Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion.

By Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion , UK, .

Welfare and Social Security Policy Resource.

Assets and Debts of UK Households James Banks, Zoë Smith and Matt Wakefield set out the distribution of both wealth and debts held by UK households - allowing a comprehensive picture of net wealth to be drawn for the first time. One of the key findings is that half the population have net financial wealth of GBP600 or less. As the research draws upon panel data it is also possible to see how people's assets and debts change over time. For example, over half of those with zero financial wealth in 1995 had accumulated some wealth by 2000. "The Distribution of Financial Wealth in the UK: Evidence from 2000 BHPS Data" is published by Institute for Fiscal Studies.

By Institute for Fiscal Studies , UK .

Welfare and Social Security Policy Resource.

Pensions and Retirement This briefing note assembles the existing microeconomic evidence and sets out economic arguments relating to the current debate on the ageing population, the timing of retirement, and the adequacy of financial provision for retirement in the UK. "Retirement, pensions and the adequacy of saving" by James Bank, Richard Blundell, Richard Disney and Carl Emmerson is published by Institute for Fiscal Studies

By Institute for Fiscal Studies , UK .

Welfare and Social Security Policy Resource.

Fiscal Incentives to Work and Marry Mike Brewer and Tom Clark show how New Labour's welfare reforms have changed people's financial incentives. No-one now faces poverty or unemployment traps (effective taxation rates of over 100%) though more people are covered by means tested benefits - blunting their incentives to work. It has become less attractive to find a partner and having a child has become more financially rewarding. "The impact on incentives of five years of social security reforms in the UK" is published by Institute for Fiscal Studies

By Institute for Fiscal Studies , UK .

Welfare and Social Security Policy Resource.