1 An introduction to minimum income standards and reference budgets: international and comparative policy perspectives
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Christopher Deeming
Abstract
This chapter gives an overview of the research in developing “minimum income standards” and “family budget standards,” “indicative budgets” and “standard budgets.” It analyzes goods and services that are considered necessary to reach a minimum standard of living for an individual or household within a given country context, region, or city. It also brings together up-to-date and accessible information and analysis in an effort to raise the profile and understanding of reference budget research. The chapter places minimum income standards at the heart of global social policy debates that focus on strengthening social protection systems. It also discusses reference budgets and minimum income standards research, covering different methodologies and approaches in relation to the implementation of policy and practice.
Abstract
This chapter gives an overview of the research in developing “minimum income standards” and “family budget standards,” “indicative budgets” and “standard budgets.” It analyzes goods and services that are considered necessary to reach a minimum standard of living for an individual or household within a given country context, region, or city. It also brings together up-to-date and accessible information and analysis in an effort to raise the profile and understanding of reference budget research. The chapter places minimum income standards at the heart of global social policy debates that focus on strengthening social protection systems. It also discusses reference budgets and minimum income standards research, covering different methodologies and approaches in relation to the implementation of policy and practice.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures viii
- Notes on contributors x
- Acknowledgements xix
- Preface from the series editors xx
- Foreword xxii
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Introduction
- An introduction to minimum income standards and reference budgets: international and comparative policy perspectives 3
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Case studies
- From normative budget standards to consensual minimum income standards in the UK 27
- Minimum Essential Standards of Living research in Ireland 39
- The French experience of reference budgets 55
- Minimum income research in Japan: its development and political implications 67
- Measuring needs and setting standards in Singapore 83
- A South African pilot of the Minimum Income Standards approach 97
- Reference budgets as tools for everyday life, evaluation and policy making in Finland 109
- Belgian reference budgets for social participation and their use for policy purposes 123
- The development, value and application of budget standards: reflecting on the Australian experience 139
- Estimating the cost of raising a child in Catalonia through the reference budgets approach 155
- Measuring poverty in the Netherlands: the generalised reference budget approach 169
- The Norwegian reference budget 185
- Minimum budgets for Danish families 197
- The Swedish Consumer Agency’s calculations of reference values for some of the most common household expense categories 207
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Cross-national and comparative perspectives
- The Slovenian experience with three methods for defining the minimum income 227
- Applying the Minimum Income Standard in diverse national contexts 241
- The steep and winding road to comparable reference budgets in Europe 255
- Adequate income in Portugal: a comparison of two estimation methods 271
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Policy and practice
- Basic needs budgets in policy and practice 291
- Establishing a national standard: the role of the UK’s Minimum Income Standard in policy and practice 307
- Minimum Income Standards in the Basic Income debate 319
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Conclusions
- Minimum income standards and reference budgets: past, present, future? 333
- Index 345
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures viii
- Notes on contributors x
- Acknowledgements xix
- Preface from the series editors xx
- Foreword xxii
-
Introduction
- An introduction to minimum income standards and reference budgets: international and comparative policy perspectives 3
-
Case studies
- From normative budget standards to consensual minimum income standards in the UK 27
- Minimum Essential Standards of Living research in Ireland 39
- The French experience of reference budgets 55
- Minimum income research in Japan: its development and political implications 67
- Measuring needs and setting standards in Singapore 83
- A South African pilot of the Minimum Income Standards approach 97
- Reference budgets as tools for everyday life, evaluation and policy making in Finland 109
- Belgian reference budgets for social participation and their use for policy purposes 123
- The development, value and application of budget standards: reflecting on the Australian experience 139
- Estimating the cost of raising a child in Catalonia through the reference budgets approach 155
- Measuring poverty in the Netherlands: the generalised reference budget approach 169
- The Norwegian reference budget 185
- Minimum budgets for Danish families 197
- The Swedish Consumer Agency’s calculations of reference values for some of the most common household expense categories 207
-
Cross-national and comparative perspectives
- The Slovenian experience with three methods for defining the minimum income 227
- Applying the Minimum Income Standard in diverse national contexts 241
- The steep and winding road to comparable reference budgets in Europe 255
- Adequate income in Portugal: a comparison of two estimation methods 271
-
Policy and practice
- Basic needs budgets in policy and practice 291
- Establishing a national standard: the role of the UK’s Minimum Income Standard in policy and practice 307
- Minimum Income Standards in the Basic Income debate 319
-
Conclusions
- Minimum income standards and reference budgets: past, present, future? 333
- Index 345
