2 November 2004 - Publication of working paper 15 - 'Low-moderate income couples and the labour market'
A working paper is being published today by the Department for Work and Pensions, as part of the Families and Children Strategic Analysis Programme (FACSAP).
The focus in this analysis is on low-moderate income couples with children, their characteristics and their labour market transitions, using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Secondary analysis of the Families and Children Study data from 1999 – 2002 showed that:
- Most low-moderate income couples are in work and stayed in work and there is an overall tendency to move into work for inactive and unemployed couples. The probability of being in work was strongest if most partners worked initially.
- The male-breadwinner model is strong among low-moderate income couples but dual-earning became more significant over time. Couple worklessness was most commonly ended by the male partner finding work, but women were likely to work as time went on. Working women tended to increase their hours and inactive women tended to move directly into work, rather than becoming unemployed.
- Overall persistently workless couples were older, had fewer qualifications, no driving licences, health problems, were most likely to be on Income Support and health-related benefits and who operated the highest levels of hardship.
- In at least a third of workless couples no one was looking for or expecting to find work.
- The extent of health problems was marked - only 13 per cent had good health and only 27 per cent of couples did not report a limited longstanding illness in either partner.
- The other significant workless group were young parents, often from an ethnic minority who experienced multiple disadvantages – including little education and who had negative attitudes to work.
Notes for editors
- The report ‘Low-moderate income couples and the labour market’ by Richard Dorsett and Diana Kasparova from the Policy Studies Institute are published on 2nd November 2004. The reports are published in the Department for Work and Pensions Working Paper Series (No. 15). The reports are available from Paul Noakes at the DWP Social Research Division (020 7962 8557).
- For more information on the Families and Children Study, which is a longitudinal survey of families and their dependent children is available on the website at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/facs/
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