1 Introduction
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Tracy Shildrick
Abstract
This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each. This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each. This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each. This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each.
Abstract
This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each. This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each. This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each. This chapter introduces the book. It begins by repeating the mantra-like statements favoured by British politicians that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’, counter-posing these with brief statements from research participants about the realities of ‘in-work poverty’. The first part of the chapter summarises the thrust of the books descriptions and its overall arguments. This is followed by a description of the layout of the book, chapter by chapter, with discussion of the main findings and arguments contained in each.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and boxes iv
- Acknowledgements v
- Introduction 1
- Poor work, welfare and poverty 11
- Researching the low-pay, no-pay cycle and recurrent poverty 39
- The low-pay, no-pay cycle: the perspectives and practices of employers and ‘welfare to work’ agencies 61
- The low-pay, no-pay cycle: its pattern and people’s commitment to work 79
- Searching for jobs: qualifications, support for the workless and the good and bad of informal social networks 101
- Poor work: insecurity and churning in deindustrialised labour markets 125
- ‘The ties that bind’: ill health and caring and their impact on the low-pay, no-pay cycle 143
- Poverty and social insecurity 167
- Conclusions 193
- References 225
- Index 247
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and boxes iv
- Acknowledgements v
- Introduction 1
- Poor work, welfare and poverty 11
- Researching the low-pay, no-pay cycle and recurrent poverty 39
- The low-pay, no-pay cycle: the perspectives and practices of employers and ‘welfare to work’ agencies 61
- The low-pay, no-pay cycle: its pattern and people’s commitment to work 79
- Searching for jobs: qualifications, support for the workless and the good and bad of informal social networks 101
- Poor work: insecurity and churning in deindustrialised labour markets 125
- ‘The ties that bind’: ill health and caring and their impact on the low-pay, no-pay cycle 143
- Poverty and social insecurity 167
- Conclusions 193
- References 225
- Index 247
