Which Types of Family are at Risk of Food Poverty in the UK? A Relative Deprivation Approach

an article by Rebecca O'Connell, Charlie Owen, Antonia Simon and Julia Brannen (UCL Institute of Education, London, UK) and Matt Padley (Loughborough University, UK) published in Social Policy and Society Volume 18 Issue 1 (January 2019)

Abstract

Not enough is known in the UK about how economic phenomena and policy changes have impacted families’ ability to feed themselves.

This article employs a novel way of identifying the types of UK families at risk of food poverty over time. Applying a relative deprivation approach, it asks what counts in the UK as a socially acceptable diet that meets needs for health and social participation and how much this costs.

Comparing this to actual food expenditure by different family types, between 2005 and 2013, it identifies which are spending less than expected and may be at risk of food poverty. The analysis finds the proportion has increased over time for most family types and for lone parents and large families in particular.

The discussion considers findings in light of changing economic and policy contexts and the implications for policy responses of how food poverty is defined and measured.

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Changes in relative deprivation and social well-being

an article by Jayanta Sen (West Bengal State University, Kolkata, India) and Dipti Prakas Pal (University of Kalyani, India) published in International Journal of Social Economics Volume 40 Issue 6 (2013)

Abstract

Purpose
Individuals earn their income from different sources in an economy. Persons being engaged with different occupations have different income levels. Welfare level thus varies from person to person. Obviously an indignant feeling arises out of interpersonal shortages of income which is viewed as relative deprivation of the person to whom shortages are inflicted. This paper attempts to analyse geometrically inter-temporal variations in relative deprivation.

Design/methodology/approach
Temporal movement has been analysed in terms of iso-deprivation curves.

Findings
Reduction in relative deprivation is the cherished goal of every welfare economy. But how it should be pursued is a matter of concern to the policy makers. In the present analysis five paths are discussed along which the deprivation level may be reduced. The most desirable path is identified.

Originality/value
Different components and their relative contributions to changes in relative deprivation have been identified in a geometrical decomposition framework. The analysis is of use in framing policies for reduction in relative deprivation and increase in social well-being.

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