Research on Experiences of In-work Poverty

We conducted this lived-experience research to inform the trust’s Work Pathways theme, including a funding call.

Methods

We took a thorough recruitment approach to reach research participants who came within Scottish Government’s definition of in-work poverty: ‘in-work’ or working poverty describes households who live in relative poverty even though someone in the household is in paid work… a household is in relative poverty if the equivalised household income is below 60% of the UK median income in the same year’ Three focus groups were conducted online in April 2024. Our discussion guides were designed to elicit experiences of in-work poverty. Following the public research, we designed and facilitated a stakeholder roundtable in our central Edinburgh office. Our research culminated in a final report for the Robertson Trust.

Key Findings

Focus group participants highlighted how unpredictability and unsociable working hours are causing:

  • financial instability,
  • difficulties to plan hobbies, leisure and family time,
  • logistical challenges

Even four years after the Covid-19 pandemic participants were still experiencing the consequences of reduced hours, changes to contracts and redundancies which resulted. Participants were aware that their employers were also impacted by the rising costs of goods and services. Many were sympathetic and directed their frustration towards the overarching economic climate.

Participants did not necessarily associate the term ‘in-work poverty’ with themselves. This was because of the term ‘poverty’ and their associations with that term. For ‘poverty’, they thought in relative terms to people they came across. Participants did not consider themselves to live in poverty as they were not displaying some behaviours they associated with poverty. For example, food banks were brought up as an indicator for levels of poverty in focus groups. Participants talked of food banks being used by others in society, who were experiencing poverty.

Without using the terms ‘poverty’ or ‘in-work poverty’ explicitly, participants did describe their day-to-day experiences of living in poverty whilst working.

Participants made suggestions for ways to alleviate their day-to-day challenges.

Work pathways:

Work Pathways | The Robertson Trust

Key research methods

  • Facilitation
  • Primary Research
  • Qualitative
  • Focus Groups
  • Participant Recruitment
  • Report Writing
  • Presentation