Supporting families
The impact of the government's welfare reforms on expenditure patterns in low-income families with children has been examined by the Centre for Market and Public Organisation.
The Centre's analysis was referenced in the 2005 Pre-Budget Report document Support for Parents: the best start for children and in the 2006 annual Department for Work and Pensions strategy document Opportunity for All.
Charities such as Save the Children used the research to highlight the higher prices paid by the poor for basic necessities such as fuel and banking. In 2007 the research was also used in testimony to the United States House Committee on Ways and Means as relevant to the formation of a US anti-poverty strategy.