MYTHS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY 11: “THERE ARE LOTS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN FAMILIES WHO HAVE NEVER WORKED”

There is sometimes confusion between data showing workless households and households where no one has ever worked.  Yet the difference between these figures is great.  Preventing temporary worklessness and supporting parents when this is unavoidable should be a greater focus for policy makers interested in tackling child poverty.

12.8% of households containing dependent children are currently classed as workless households.

Just 2.1% of children are classed as living in households where no one has ever worked (and this includes households where parents may have never worked for good reason – ie. disability or longstanding illness, or where parents have recently finished studying and have only just entered the labour market).