New analysis finds:

• 61% of all one-earner couple families have significant caring responsibilities
• 1.2 million (53%) of one-earner households contain children
• 700,000 (58%) of these households with children have a youngest child who is under five
• 300,000 (21%) have a youngest child between the ages of five and ten
• Average income for a one-earner household is just £28,000 per annum

New analysis from the social policy charity, CARE, illustrating that many one-earner families are not so by choice will be revealed in a House of Lord’s debate today 1. It is expected that the substantial concerns raised in the last couple of weeks about child benefit will take centre stage putting the Government under even more pressure.

The latest figures from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Family Resources Survey demonstrate that out of the 2.2 million UK one-earner families, the majority, or 61%, have dependent children under the age of five, care for someone who is disabled or bear other caring responsibilities 2.

The reality for the majority of one-earner households is that the single earner is in full-time work and the non-earner has significant caring responsibilities.

Furthermore, figures from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Family Resources Survey illustrate that the average income for a one-earner household was just £28,000 per annum, only marginally above the UK average wage of £26,500. This evidence reveals the inaccuracy of popular assumptions that one-earner households have the luxury to choose to be so on the basis of wealth.

Such data is unsurprising, particularly in relation to caring for children, given that a recent report by the think tank Centre Forum clearly demonstrates that the UK has some of the most expensive childcare arrangements in the developed world. It is evident that many stay-at-home parents cannot afford to go back to work even if they wish to.

What is more, polling conducted by Uswitch confirms that 75% of mothers would like to stay at home to look after their children if money was no object, with six out of ten saying that they re-entered the workplace due to financial pressures and to pay off debts.

These numbers come in the midst of recent child benefit policy changes whereby one-earner households will begin to lose their child benefit if earnings exceed £50,000 per year and will lose it completely by the time earnings reach £60,000 per year. Two earner households where both partners earn £49,000 meanwhile will keep all of their child benefit.

CARE’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Dan Boucher, said of the figures uncovered by CARE:

"It is clear that the majority of one-earner families are one-earners out of necessity rather than by choice. The truth is that most one-earner families do not have the option of the stay-at-home parent finding paid employment."

"For single-earner households earning just over the average wage it is vital that the Government honours its commitment to support them through transferable allowances, as promised in the Coalition Agreement. 20 March is the last opportunity to do this in order to have transferable allowances up and running by the next General Election."

He continued: ‘In light of the child benefit changes it is particularly unfortunate that one-earner households on incomes of between £50,000 and £60,000 are being discriminated against , whilst the Government treats dual earner households more favourably allowing those on incomes of up to £100,000 to keep their child benefit in its entirety.’

For further information contact James Mildred, Public Affairs Media and Communications Officer on tel: 020 7227 4731 or 07581 153693 or email: james.mildred@care.org.uk

Notes:

1. The debate in the House of Lords has been tabled by Baroness Hollis for 17 January: Baroness Hollis to move that this house takes note of the impact on families of changes to tax and benefits.
Watch live: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=12244

2. Figures derived from Department of Work and Pensions’ Family Resources Survey 2010/11. The 61% figure refers to a one-earner couple who has one of the following three characteristics: is caring for a child under 5, where there is a disabled member of the household, or where there are caring responsibilities.

3. CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) is a well-established mainstream Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives. CARE is represented in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies, at the EU in Brussels and the UN in Geneva and New York. CARE is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales at 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF, Company No: 3481417, Charity No: 1066963, Scottish Charity No: SC038911