Poverty and social exclusion in Britain

A new national survey reveals the extent of poverty and social exclusion in Britain. This study was undertaken by researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Loughborough, York and Heriot-Watt with fieldwork undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is the most comprehensive and scientifically rigorous survey of this type ever undertaken. It provides unparalleled detail about the material and social deprivation and exclusion among the British population at the close of the twentieth century. It employs a variety of measures of poverty in addition to income, including the lack of socially perceived 'necessities' and subjective measures. It is also the first national study to attempt to measure social exclusion.