Cost of Living Research Group
The University of York has a long tradition of groundbreaking research on poverty, inequality, social justice, social policy and politics.
Today as a University for Public Good, we are bringing together our expertise from across the University to focus on the drivers of the cost of living, and its impact on the wellbeing of people and communities.
Cost of Living report
The UK’s social safety net is failing. This new report from The York Policy Engine's Cost of Living Research Group details growing levels of inequality across the nation.
, 2,577kb)We work across a wide range of issues, supported by The York Policy Engine with funding from Research England. Our people and projects shape policy locally, regionally and nationally. Alongside our efforts as an academic community, the University of York is also supporting students and staff through the cost of living crisis.
These pages provide further information about who we are, our research projects and our blogs.
Read our news and blogs
in food poverty in September 2022, up 50 per cent from April 2022.
The Food Foundation, 2022
children (30% of all UK children) living in poverty - up from 3.6 million in 2010-11
stressed by financial situation
MetLife, 2022
increase in households in temporary accommodation from September 2022 to September 2023
excess UK winter deaths caused by living in cold homes during winter 2022/23
adults (15% of households) experienced food insecurity in January 2024, up from 9% in January 2022
The Food Foundation, 2024
Our publications
Our researchers
Chaired by Professor Kate Pickett, The York Cost of Living Research Group's members are divided across schools and departments within the University.
Its members work within the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Sciences and across the research themes of Justice and Equality and Health and Wellbeing.
- Emma Tominey
- Cheti Nicoletti
- James Baraniak
The group is supported The York Policy Engine and Professor Evan Kontopantelis, University of Manchester.