A lack of access to social housing significantly increases the cost of living

First reported	Story	Sources
15 Sep 2026	For the first time in the 18-year history of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) developed by Loughborough University, the public perceives that households can no longer reasonably expect to secure a social rented home if they need one. Researchers calculated the additional income required to maintain a decent standard of living in the light of this changed assumption as: £7,800 per year for a lone parent with two children £3,800 per year for a couple with two children £5,400 per year for a single pensioner.	IH 98696

First reported

Story

Sources

15 Sep 2026

For the first time in the 18-year history of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) developed by Loughborough University, the public perceives that households can no longer reasonably expect to secure a social rented home if they need one. Researchers calculated the additional income required to maintain a decent standard of living in the light of this changed assumption as:

£7,800 per year for a lone parent with two children
£3,800 per year for a couple with two children
£5,400 per year for a single pensioner.

IH 98696