First-hand accounts of in-work poverty see parents put themselves at “bottom of the pile”

Struggling parents who are in financial difficulty are acting as “shock absorbers” for poverty to ensure their children don’t go without – a new study at Teesside University has found.

Researchers have examined the growing problem of in-work poverty and the impact it has on people’s health.

They have identified a clear link between in-work poverty and obesity, particularly among single parents, and also found evidence that parents who are struggling financially prioritise the health needs of their children above their own - often going without food and medication to ensure their children don’t miss out.

The research was carried out by Hannah Poulter, Dr Judith Eberhardt and Associate Professor Helen Moore, from Teesside University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, and has been published in the Journal of Poverty.

In-work poverty describes those who are in employment but have financial resources close to the threshold of poverty and it is often associated with poor health.

With the rising cost-of-living and the growing energy crisis, the impact on people’s health and well-being is of increasing concern.

Researchers at Teesside University have documented the lived experiences of a group of people in the North East to evidence how in-work poverty has affected their health behaviours. Those who contributed to the study had to have at least one person working in the household, be struggling to manage financially and have an annual household income below £17,500.

One of the common themes from people was that they were “too rich to be poor” - earning too much to qualify for particular benefits, but not earning enough to live comfortably.

Other participants reported missing out on dental check-ups and not processing prescriptions due to the cost and financial stress.

Exercise was considered a “luxury” by many people and was listed as the first expense to be withdrawn when finances worsened. There was also a sense of “guilt” for spending money on their own health needs.

All participants in the study reported that they acted as “shock absorbers” – especially around food poverty to limit the impact of eating behaviours on their children.

One participant reflected: “I have been that poor [when] the kids have gone to their dad’s I have like not eaten - just so you know you’ve got enough for the next day if when they [children] come home, that’s how bad wages were.”

Another said, in relation to poor quality food: “I don’t have it when I have the girls, but I save it for when it is just me.”

The lack of exercise, poor diet, coupled with the stress and anxiety over financial woes, were all contributing factors in terms of the link between in-work poverty and obesity.

The study also found that single parents who are subject to in-work poverty were at greater risk of obesity due to them shouldering all of the responsibility on their own.

Hannah Poulter, who led the study, said: “The constant financial struggle and worrying about how to budget caused quite considerable sleep problems among our participants. Those with sleep problems have a higher risk of obesity. When you add in the lack of exercise, lack of head space for healthy eating, and missing out on much-needed medicine – the impact of in-work poverty is clear to see.

“There were some really hard-hitting accounts from our participants which were difficult to listen to. To hear parents describe themselves as “shock absorbers” for poverty really drives home the struggles they face and the sacrifices they make on a day-to-day basis.

“No parent should have to go without just to ensure their children get the basic things that they need.”

Dr Judith Eberhardt added: “This is a really important study and clearly signals the need for change.

“Parents described putting their health needs at the bottom of the pile and that is just something that should not be accepted in a modern, civilised society.”

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