A Minimum Income Standard for the UK in 2022

In 2022, the rising cost of living presents the most significant challenge to living standards for many years, and comes after a period of social and economic uncertainty resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a growing gap between what people have and what people need for a decent standard of living.

Millions of people in the UK risk falling well short of this standard as costs continue to rise and our social security system fails to provide adequate and appropriate support. Short-term support measures are vital now, but will only go so far; we need a social security system that is fit for today.

Major study outlines wide health inequalities in England

A 60-year-old woman in the poorest areas of England has a level of ‘diagnosed illness’ equivalent to that of a 76-year-old woman in the wealthiest areas, according to new research by the Health Foundation. While a 60-year-old man in the poorest areas of England will on average have a level of diagnosed illness equivalent to that of a 70- year-old man in the wealthiest areas.

People living in the most deprived parts of England are diagnosed with serious illness earlier and die sooner than their peers in more affluent areas, a major new study finds.

ADASS Survey: People waiting for assessments. care or review

Six hundred people a day are joining growing waiting lists to be assessed for care and support in England, as adult social care buckles under unprecedented pressures. Almost 300,000 people are now waiting for an assessment of their needs by social workers, an increase of 90,000 (44%) in five months. One in four has been waiting longer than six months. At this rate of increase, the number waiting will hit 400,000 by November – double the total 12 months previously.