Implementing decent Living Wage and minimum wage policies could lift 900,000 people out of poverty - we need to act now
A report released by The Fabian Society today paints a stark picture of life in Britain in 2030, with inequality getting worse and children at risk of poverty. The report predicts that, unless we act now:
- An extra 3.6 million people will fall into poverty, including 1.2 million children.
- The real disposable income of middle income households will rise by 9 per cent over the next 15 years; for low income households the figure will be just two per cent, despite the fact that GDP per capita will rise by 32 per cent.
- The incomes of high-income households will rise eleven times faster than those of low-income households.
- High earnings will rise twice as fast as low earnings.
Crucially, the report says that in 2030, ‘living standards and the extent of inequality will be determined by political choices rather than by unstoppable economic forces’, naming social security policies and growing income disparities as the key factor behind this widening gap.
It recommends labour market reforms which it says could directly slow this rising inequality, especially improving support and incentives mothers, disabled people, carers and people in their sixties in order to raise employment levels; the target is that 80 per cent of adults below pension age will be in work by 2030.
The Fabians argue that ‘predistribution’ – tackling inequality and poverty by addressing the Labour market – will ‘generate significant resources for the exchequer’. It estimates that the proceeds of the minimum wage and Living Wage policies alone could double the real value of child benefit over fifteen years, lifting 900,000 people out of poverty.
Among the report’s other recommendations are:
The introduction of a ‘prosperity fund’, to redistribute to low and middle income households the proceeds from predistribution.- The development of a radical cross-government strategy on pay and productivity, with particular focus on the middle of the labour market.
- Legislation for all public sector jobs to pay the Living Wage
- Introduction, by 2020, of a minimum wage that equates to 60 per cent of median earnings.
Although the report emphasises that there is hope, the effects of inaction will be serious, and there is no room for complacency: even with ‘very high levels’ of employment, the Fabians estimate that in 15 years there would still be 3.1 million more people in poverty than today, including 970,000 extra children.
Ruby Stockham is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow her on Twitter
4 Responses to “1.2 million children could be in poverty by 2030, says new Fabian report”
Leon Wolfeson
Or instead of all than dancing around, which is still going to exclude many of the poor, we could just go with a Basic Income.
Kevin Stall
Poverty levels are questionable. Our poor are better of than most countries poor. All the program s seem to do is encourage people to do as little as possible. “Living wage” raises cost for everyone, increases inflation and making more poor. Education and skills are what’s needed. The dream of increasing the middle class. All societies require some level of the poor . If everyone one was billionaires then millionaires would be classed as the poor. If you compare the lifestyle and circumstances of our poor to the past or another country.how do they stand. The term “poor” is subjective. And really has little meaning.
Guest
You’re denying poverty, as you scream hate against the poor and make up nonsense about the living wage so you can get YOUR way of having more poor people.
You want high-cost education, as you’ve said, for your rich. As you DEMAND there be poor people, lots of poor people, and fight against anything which could reduce that.
If you cannot afford food and shelter, you cannot afford food and shelter. This is poverty. This is real, and you are trying to deny it because you are a Rich White Male out for short-term profit at all costs.
A food thief.
Kevin Stall
Being poor is subjective, the poor currently are as well off as the middle class was 50-60 years ago. In this age of benefits, there is no reason for anyone to be starving or homeless. There are plenty of solutions out there if you look. And don’t waste it on other things.