Question: what is the definition of poverty in the uk

title: Poverty in the United Kingdom
text: Disability - Disabled adults are twice as likely to live in low income households as non-disabled adults . Illness Mental illness Low intelligence - People with an IQ of 60 or below are speculated to be in danger of poverty and homelessness in the USA in 2006 . Unemployment - benefit sanctions for failing to search for jobs on a full - time basis plunges the already poor unemployed into destitution as a punishment . There are currently not enough jobs in the UK to employ everyone who is looking for work . Underemployment - having a low - paid job with wages lower than the living wage , often the minimum wage , and working part - time . Being born to poor parents Lack of social capital Inadequate management of finances Being a lone parent - half of all lone parents are on a low income . Racial discrimination Inherent biases in the economic system , for example having to pay a higher rate of interest on a loan .