A report has revealed a ‘critical shift in public expectations’ surrounding healthcare, with a budget for private care now included in the minimum standard for living.
Each year, Loughborough University and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) produce a report on the minimum income standard (MIS) for working-age adults based on public opinion. For the first time in its 16-year history, this year’s MIS includes a £200 budget for private healthcare. Services included within this budget might include dentistry, physiotherapy and counselling.
JRF chief analyst Peter Matejic said this shift in public perception was due to a lack of availability of NHS services. ‘In previous years it would have been unthinkable that cash to pay for health treatments would be necessary for a minimum standard of living.
‘But, this research shows that the public feel they can no longer count on the NHS to provide a universal service that’s free at the point of delivery because some NHS services are now so difficult to access.’
The MIS is intended to give an impression of the minimum income required to live with ‘dignity’ in the UK. Professor Abigail Davis of Loughborough University said: ‘This is about meeting those basic needs, but it’s also about being able to take part in the world, not feeling excluded or on the edge of society.’
‘Unable to afford everyday life’
According to the report, many households do not meet the MIS and are therefore ‘unable to afford everyday life’.
In particular, none of the household types which were out of work or looking for work met the minimum income standard. A single adult receiving out-of-work benefits is estimated to earn 28% of MIS, needing £218 more weekly to meet the standard.
Most households earning the national living wage (NLW) also did not meet the MIS. Only couples with no children could reach MIS while earning NLW. A single adult working full time at NLW would achieve 81% of the minimum income standard, a shortage of £57 per week.
Similarly, a couple with two children who were both earning NLW full time would reach 84% of MIS. The household would need an additional £127 per week to meet the standard.
‘Living in poor health for years because of their low income’
Professor Davis added: ‘Meeting a minimum acceptable standard of living continues to be a real challenge for so many households. As this latest research has highlighted, the lack of investment in public services over the past decade has made meeting this standard even more difficult, as costs have shifted from the state to individuals.
‘This adds to the pressure on already stretched household finances, but also has consequences for physical and mental health which can bring further costs for individuals, households and ultimately government.’
Peter Matejic said: ‘It’s not right that people are unable to take part in our society and are living in poor health for years because of their low income.
‘The government must improve our public services, make work more secure and reform our social security system so that we all have an adequate safety net to rely on if more people are to have a decent standard of living.’
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