The collaboration will see the centre receive a £823,137 grant from JRF to fund its Minimum Income Standard (MIS) research to 2028.
This is the seventh consecutive grant for CRSP, continuing a partnership that has spanned over 20 years and cementing MIS as a vital tool in social policy.
MIS has evolved from an experimental approach to a well-established, internationally recognised methodology that places public perspectives at the heart of defining a socially acceptable standard of living.
In the UK, MIS informs the Real Living Wage, which is currently paid by more than 15,000 employers, including Loughborough University.
The research provides detailed insights into the relationship between income and living standards, shaping decisions at both individual and organisational levels. Key applications include:
- Supporting retirement planning for a decent standard of living.
- Informing policymakers about varying income requirements across regions, such as remote rural areas or London.
- Highlighting the living standards of low-to-middle-income households, including those with non-dependent young adults living at home.
- Demonstrating the financial costs of disability, such as the additional 25% and 82% required for households with members experiencing sight loss or profound deafness, respectively.
- Revealing increased costs faced by lone mothers transitioning from domestic abuse refuges.
- Underpinning the Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS), which defines the resources needed for full participation in a digital society. Related research has guided Welsh Government policy on digital inclusion.
- Providing benchmarks for academic research and organisations like the Commission on Social Security to propose reforms to the benefits system.
- Guiding the Scottish Government’s Minimum Income Guarantee policy.
- Contributing evidence to the the Work and Pensions Select Committee on a range of enquiries relating to living standards.
Professor Abigail Davis, Co-Director of CRSP and MIS research lead, said: “MIS involves the entire CRSP team, and its wide-reaching impact reflects their dedication and expertise.
“The continuity of funding from JRF has allowed us to grow and innovate in ways we never imagined when MIS began. Our partnership with JRF, spanning over four decades, continues to drive meaningful change.”
Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation Professor Dan Parsons said: “I am delighted to celebrate this significant onward funding award for our Minimum Income Standard research.
“This recognition underscores the Centre for Research in Social Policy's position at the forefront of cutting-edge research that directly shapes lives, from informing the Real Living Wage to addressing critical social challenges like digital inclusion and the financial realities faced by vulnerable groups.
“The impact of this work, both nationally and internationally, exemplifies our university’s commitment to research excellence with purpose, and I look forward to seeing how this next chapter will continue to drive positive change across society.”
Loughborough’s Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings added: “It’s fantastic that the centre has secured four more years of funding for the vital work they do around improving social equality.
“It is a great exemplar of social impact and ties in perfectly with the University’s strategy to advance Vibrant and Inclusive Communities.”
Paul Kissack, Group Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, said: “JRF first supported the Minimum Income Standard in 2006, and it has since become a cornerstone of social policy.
“Its impact is far-reaching, particularly through the Real Living Wage, while also catalysing other vital research in the UK and internationally. We are proud of our partnership with CRSP and look forward to the next four years of MIS development.”
MIS annual updates, published each September, will continue to offer invaluable insights for policymakers, researchers, and organisations dedicated to improving living standards.
“This ongoing collaboration underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches to addressing economic and social inequalities.
ENDS