Ways in and out of low income in rural England

This study built on earlier research with the overall aim of providing a better understanding of the factors that cause people in rural England to move into, or exit from, low income. Within this, the research had four specific objectives:

• To identify significant differences between rural and urban areas, and between different types of rural areas, in the factors causing people to enter or exit low income.
• To explain these differences by relating them to economic or social factors.
• To identify and describe any association there might be between the relative importance of particular factors and sections of the population such as elderly people, school-leavers, self-employed, low-earning households or single parents.
• To consider the policy implications of the findings, identifying relevant government initiatives and commenting on whether they meet rural needs.

The research involved secondary analysis of data from the British Household Panel Surveys between 1991 and 1997, along with secondary analysis of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for 1996 and 1997.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the Policy Studies Institute during Summer 2001.

Ways in and out of low income in rural England (PDF, 48kB) (Research summary)