Tackling the Cost-of-Living Crisis
The cost-of-living crisis is not just about headline inflation. It is about whether ordinary people can afford to live with dignity. These indicators look beyond the averages to track what is actually happening to wages, poverty, and inequality — the metrics that reveal whether growth is reaching the 99%.
Real Median Wages
Median wages adjusted for inflation tell us what a typical worker can actually buy. Unlike average wages, the median is not skewed by high earners at the top.
Poverty and Child Poverty
Relative and absolute poverty rates reveal whether the most vulnerable are being left behind. Child poverty is a particularly powerful signal of systemic failure.
International Comparison with Peers
Comparing UK living standards with similar economies shows whether our struggles are global or home-grown, and where policy choices have made a difference.
Wealth and Income Inequality
How the gains from growth are distributed matters as much as growth itself. Rising inequality means the economy can grow while most people feel no benefit.