Survey of Family Resources

Key facts

Geographical coverage	United Kingdom
Set sample size	42,200
Survey type	Face-to-face interview
Response rate	65% (2002/2003)
Fieldwork dates	April - March annually

The Family Resources Survey (FRS) is a continuous survey of private households and was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The survey was launched in October 1992 to meet the specific information requirements of DWP. Traditionally the Department had relied upon other government surveys, in particular the Family Expenditure Survey and General Household Survey. However, these surveys have relatively small sample sizes and therefore did not provide sufficiently reliable information on groups of particular interest to DWP. As the target number of fully co-operating households on the FRS is approximately 24,000 per annum, comprehensive information can be produced providing statistical data on benefit uptake and financial status of specific groups, often at regional level.

Adults eligible for inclusion in the survey are asked a wide range of questions about their circumstances including: income and state support, tenure and housing costs, assets and savings, occupation and employment, health and ability to work, pensions and insurance, and childcare and carers. Although some of the information collected is available elsewhere, the FRS provides new or more comprehensive information in a number of areas and brings some topics together on one survey for the first time. The sample size allows more confidence in the analyses of smaller sub groups, including, for example, regional breakdowns and recipients of certain benefits.

DWP incorporate FRS data into their Policy Simulation Model (PSM) which is used for policy evaluation and costing policy options. In addition it is used to analyse patterns of benefit receipt for policy monitoring and evaluation, and benefit forecasting. FRS data are also used to produce analyses of incomes using Households Below Average Income (HBAI) methodology.

The FRS aims to cover all private households in the United Kingdom and the FRS sample is drawn from the small user Postcode Address File (PAF). All adults in selected households are eligible for inclusion in the survey. Face to face interviews are carried out by fully trained interviewers who key responses directly onto laptop computers.

In 2002-2003 the response rate was 65%. A report on the Family Resources Survey (Great Britain), 2001-2002 was published by DWP in May 2003. Fieldwork for the survey is carried out jointly by the Office for National Statistics and by the National Centre for Social Research. (Fieldwork in Northern Ireland is conducted by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.)

The rotation of question blocks, introduced in 1999-2000 as a way of reducing respondent fatigue and keeping the questionnaire to a manageable length, has been retained. The blocks of questions about NHS treatment and travel to work were therefore reinstated for 2002-03 in lieu of blocks of questions on household durables and vehicle use and ownership which were rotated off the questionnaire.

The size of the FRS sample makes it an effective tool to gauge the success of various government initiatives, and to provide facts and figures about living standards in the United Kingdom. In 2002-03, there were relatively few changes to the questionnaire. New questions were added on income from investments, disability and water and sewerage. A new set of questions on payments to absent partners and new questions on pay were introduced. The Department for Work and Pensions change of name (formerly Department for Social Security) was reflected in the 2003-03 questionnaire. The survey was extended in 2001 to include the Scottish Islands and the area north of the Caledonian Canal. Northern Ireland was included in the survey for the first time in 2002-03.

Results of the FRS can be accessed through the Family Resources Survey Home Page: www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/frs

For more information about the surveys we carry out contact:
Project Support Branch Tel: +44 (0)20 7533 5500 or e-mail: ssdpsb@ons.gov.uk