Research and Statistics

Making decisions about work in one-earner couple households

by Sharon Collard and Adele Atkinson

This report provides findings from a qualititative study to understand the attitudes and behaviours of non-working partnered parents living in low-income households where neither partner is in receipt of out-of-work benefits from DWP, and to explore the factors that might influence decisions about work within their household. The project had three main objectives:

  • to explore the labour market choices, constraints and aspirations of non-working partnered parents in low-income households, particularly in terms of any longer-term trade-offs between income through paid work and child caring responsibilities;
  • to explore the type of support non-working partnered parents might require in order to make paid employment a realistic option;
  • to identify how best to help this group move into work with information, advice and support.

    The research involved conducting 50 in-depth interviews with non-working partnered parents living in low-income households in three areas of the country. Fieldwork was carried out in May and June 2008.

    The study was undertaken by the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol.

    March 2009 108 pages 297x210mm

    ISBN 978 1 84712 487 6

     

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