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The pain of austerity measures will be felt for years to come owing to some of the worst falls in living
standards since World War II, a leading economic research body warned on Monday.
With the government trying to rein in Britain's record deficit, household incomes will suffer as public
spending reductions and tax rises begin to bite, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said in a report.
The government had only been able to soften the blow of the recession until now through "unusually
generous" increases in financial support, it added.
"The current economic downturn began more than three years ago, and may seem like old news," said
Robert Joyce, a research economist at IFS and a contributor to the report.
"But, as in other developed countries, the most severe consequences of the recession on UK living
standards have only just begun to be felt, and will continue to be felt for years to come."
The report said: "As governments attempt to repair their public finances, household incomes now look set
to be squeezed for a considerable length of time.
"It seems much of the impact of the 'Great Recession' was not felt until after the economy had stopped
contracting, but that the pain was delayed rather than avoided.
"This would mean the UK had experienced one of the worst decades for changes in living standards since
at least World War Two.
"The 'Great Recession' looks set to cast a very long shadow."
Household incomes in Britain grew slightly after the 2007 economic crisis and through the 2009
recession, the IFS said.
However, in the last financial year, earnings, tax credits and state welfare handouts all fell in real terms.
A 3.5-percent fall in median net household income in the year to April, the largest drop since 1981, is
estimated by the IFS, showing that much of the impact of the recession was delayed.
The institute also found that Britain's six-percent drop in economic growth from peak to trough during the
recession was "somewhere in the middle" of other countries' experiences.
Japan, Ireland and Sweden witnessed sharper plunges while Canada saw a smaller drop.
Trade unions are set to call for a rethink on the government's spending cuts programme at their annual
conference this week.
However, government ministers have insisted they will stick with their programme.
A spokesman for the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, one of Britain's biggest debt advisers, told
The Daily Mail newspaper: "It is all the little pressures that are adding up to hurt families and other
households, and erode their income.
"This is not necessarily about people who are unemployed. Even if you didn't lose your job last year,
people are really struggling," he added.
33 comments
Republic 3 hours ago Report Abuse
'We're all in this together' becomes a sicker and sicker joke each time there is any economic news.
The bankers, the bosses, the politicians are not in it at all. The rest of us are paying for capitalism's
inherent greed.
Jim 3 hours ago Report Abuse
The government had only been able to soften the blow of the recession until now through
"unusually generous" increases in financial support. I would like to know how they work this one
out!
frankobserver 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Sad but true.
Many people will have spent their lifes savings just trying to get through this mess.
Interest rates close to zero (for savers) but still not cheap for borrowers will ensure that.
Raging inflation courtesy of the flawed policy of the MPC has hit economic growth.
Austerity measures wiere unfotunately necessary because of the previous administrations
incompetence but they must be applied fairly and based on ability to pay.
Some benefits are still too generous whlst some are inadequate and those in jobs on high incomes
should think themselves fortunate rather than complaining about tax levels.
Rose 52 minutes ago Report Abuse
Might it help our country if we stop giving aid to others while we are in dire straits ??
NO WIN NO FEE 58 minutes ago Report Abuse
for economic reasons , the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off
id 1 hour ago Report Abuse
who chose a picture of the police holding a man down on the floor as they arrest him....for this
artical?.....@#$% morons
TRISTAN 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Doom and gloom ..............
peter 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Spot on observation, they have been "unusually generous" to their friends in the city, the idle rich,
the bankers and to themselves, meanwhile, the man in the street has been systematically robbed to
fund it, nice one George, you're a credit to the tory party, and just what the country needs, you'll
reap your just reward at the ballot boxes.
Replies (2)
Claire 1 hour ago Report Abuse
It was labour who did that you numpty.