News

10/07/2012 17:22:47

£36,728 needed to fund family of four

A new study has revealed that a family of four requires an annual income of £36,728 before tax in order to attain a minimum acceptable standard of living.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's annual report shows that a couple with two children needs to earn an extra £5,000 to achieve this level of comfort than in 2008, with the cost of running a car a major factor in this increase alongside cuts in tax credits.

For a lone parent with one child, the salary requirements are even higher, with an income of £23,861 needed, while a single person could survive on £16,383. This lone parent wage equates to £12.20 per hour. The current minimum wage for over-21s is £6.08.

"This study shows that the minimum needed by families for an acceptable living standard remains similar in harsh economic times as it did previously, but that it is getting harder to earn enough to meet this standard," the report said.