A Minimum Income Standard for the UK in 2015

Key findings

• The cost of the MIS basket of goods and services stayed stable in 2015, as there was no overall inflation.
• In 2015, single people need to earn at least £17,100 a year before tax to achieve MIS. Couples with two children need to earn at least £20,000 each.
• Incomes for households on out-of-work benefits rose slightly relative to MIS in the past year. In 2015, an out-of-work single person achieves 40 per cent of what the public says they need.
• Incomes of those on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) have risen slightly relative to MIS, helped by above-inflation rises in the NMW and an increased personal tax allowance. In 2015, single people on the NMW achieve 70 per cent of what the public says they need.
• Since 2008, the incomes of households on benefits have fallen substantially relative to MIS, particularly families with children. For lone parents with one child, benefits provide nearly 60 per cent of MIS compared with nearly 70 per cent in 2008. Their shortfall has increased by £44 per week (2015 prices).
• Since 2008, net incomes of households earning the NMW have also fallen further below MIS. In 2008, families with children came close to MIS if they worked full-time on the NMW, but are now 15 per cent short. For single people, the shortfall has grown from 15 to 30 per cent, or by £27 per week (2015 prices).
• Prices are projected to start rising again in late 2015; the slight reduction in income shortfalls may prove temporary.