Adults can't afford 1999 & 2012

Adult Items and activities 1999 2012 Change in percentage points 1999 to 2012
Heating to keep home adequately warm 3% 9% +6
Damp-free home 7% 10% +3
Two meals a day 1% 3% +2
Visit friends or family in hospital or other institutions(1) 3% 3% 0
Replace or repair broken electrical goods(1) 12% 26% +14
Fresh fruit and vegetables every day 5% 7% +2
Washing machine 2% 1% -1
All recommended dental treatment(1) n/a 17% n/a
Celebrations on special occasions 2% 4% +2
Warm waterproof coat 4% 4% 0
Attend weddings, funerals and other such occasions(1) 3% 3% 0
Telephone 2% 2% 0
Meat, fish or vegetarian equivalent every other day 2% 5% +3
Enough bedrooms for every children aged 10+ of a different sex to have their own room (3) 3% 9% +6
Curtains or window blinds n/a 1% n/a
Hobby or leisure activity 7% 8% +1
Enough money to keep your home in a decent state of decoration 15% 20% +5
Household contents insurance 10% 12% +2
Appropriate clothes for job interviews(1) 4% 8% +4
Table and chairs at which all the family can eat n/a 5% n/a
Taking part in sport/exercise activities or classes(1) n/a 10% n/a
Two pairs of all weather shoes 7% 8% +1
Regular savings (of at least £20 a month) for rainy days(4) 27% 33% +6
Television 0% 0% 0
Regular payments to an occupational or private pension(2) n/a 30% n/a
Replace worn out clothes with new not second hand clothes* 6% 15% +9
Presents for family or friends once a year* 4% 7% +3
Friends or family around for a meal or drink at least once a month* 6% 11% +5
Holiday away from home, not staying with relatives* 18% 25% +7

(1) These items and activities give percentage of adults not households
(2) Percentage of working age adults: taken as men aged 18-65, women aged 18-60
(3) For households with children only
(4) In 1999 this question was 'Regular savings (of at least £10 a month) for rainy days or retirement
* These items and activities were seen as necessities in 1999 but not in 2012
n/a - not asked in 1999

Source: Breadline Britain - the rise of mass poverty, Stewart Lansley and Joanna Mack, Oneworld, 2015

 

Tweet this page