This collection consists of 54 qualitative interviews conducted in Northern Ireland in 2012 as part of the Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK study (PSE UK). The interviews provide in-depth information about experiences and coping strategies of families living on a low income. The ESRC has funded a major research project into Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK. This project is a collaboration between the University of Bristol, University of Glasgow, Heriot-Watt University, Open University, Queen’s University (Belfast), University of York, National Centre for Social Research and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. The project commences in April 2010 and will run for three-and-a-half years. The primary purpose is to advance the 'state of the art' of the theory and practice of poverty and social exclusion measurement. In order to improve current measurement methodologies, the research will develop and repeat the 1999 Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey. This research will produce information of immediate and direct interest to policy makers, academics and the general public. It will provide a rigorous and detailed independent assessment on progress towards the UK Government's target of eradicating child poverty. Objectives This research has three main objectives: To improve the measurement of poverty, deprivation, social exclusion and standard of living To assess changes in poverty and social exclusion in the UK *To conduct policy-relevant analyses of poverty and social exclusion Further information Contact: Prof David Gordon Email: Dave.Gordon@bristol.ac.uk Telephone: 0117 9546761 Website: www.poverty.ac.uk

The initial sampling frame was based on respondents from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) in 2009/2010 who had given their permission to be re-contacted by another research organisation and who had answered suitable screening questions (low household income calculated on the basis of household income below 60 per cent of the median and a household with at least one dependent child (aged up to 16 years or 19 if in full time education)). The FRS uses a stratified random sample drawn from the Land and Property Services Agency’s (LPSA) list of domestic addresses. A random sample gives each person an equal chance of being included in the sample. LPSA addresses are sorted by district council and ward, so the sample is effectively stratified geographically. The sample size for the FRS in Northern Ireland is 3,600 households. The overall response rate for Northern Ireland FRS in 2009/2010 was 65 per cent (DSD, 2010). Respondents who agreed to be re-contacted formed the basis of the sampling frame for the qualitative study. A total of 90 respondents matched the study criteria. A £15 shopping voucher was offered as an incentive to each respondent that took part in the study. Following the mail shot and one follow-up contact either in person or by phone call, a total of 14 interviews were achieved from this sampling method (16 per cent). The original method had to be abandoned due to the low response rate and the voluntary and community sector were approached for help with recruitment. That way, potential interviewees could be assured of our impartiality by a trusted intermediary. In total, a further 40 respondents were recruited, bringing the total study sample to 54. Three interviews were carried out but the respondent did not match the criteria (interview 7, 47, 50) – in all cases the respondent did not have a dependent child living at home. These interviews are not included in the overall analysis. This brought the final sample size to 51.