Poverty

Married people and their children are far less likely
to experience poverty

69% of UK single mothers live in the bottom 40% of household income, compared to 34% of couples with children (DWP, 2002)

Single mothers, whether well-educated or not, are 3-4 times more likely to live in poverty than married mothers (McLanahan & Sandefur, 1994).

UK single parents are 8 times as likely to be out of work and 12 times as likely to receive income support (ONS , 2001 - Work; ONS, 2002 - Family)

Family breakdown costs the nation £15 billion a year (The Cost of Family Breakdown, FMI report 2000)