Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

To examine the relationship between low pay and family poverty in Northern Ireland. Three conceptual models were of particular interest: dual/segmented labour markets; the reserve army of labour; and, the social division of welfare.

Main Topics:

Variables These include: family characteristics (size, ages, marital status); background factors (area, religion, housing type); economic variables (industry, occupation, pay, employment type, subjective and peer group skill assessment); occupational benefits, welfare benefits, and, - limited - fiscal benefits; family income (in pounds and as a percentage of potential unemployed income). Attitudinal data including future expectations, respondents' comparisons of own pay with probable reference groups' pay, and their evaluations of work prospects.

Simple random sample

those receiveing FIS on, or within one year before April, 1982. The sampling frame was the Northern Ireland FIS register

Face-to-face interview