Family Resources Survey: Respondents' Section
If you have been selected to take part in the Family Resources Survey, this section aims to answer questions you may have. Thank you for taking the time to look at our website. Below is some brief information about this important study, and why you have been asked to take part. If you have any further questions please ring the number on the letter you have been sent.
What is the Family Resources Survey?
The Family Resources Survey is a major study, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It provides facts and figures about the living conditions and incomes of people in the UK today. The DWP are interested in people from all walks of life and in households ranging from people living alone to large families.
Why have I been chosen?
Your address was selected at random from the Post Office's list of addresses, which is why the letter sent to you is addressed 'to the resident' and not to a named person. To make sure the results are more representative of different groups of people the DWP rely on the participation of everyone asked to take part in the study - no one else can take your place.
You don't need any special knowledge to take part. Most people who agree to be interviewed enjoy the experience.
Who are the interviewers?
Some interviews are conducted by NatCen Social Research (NatCen), with the others carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). They are both reputable social research organisations with many years' experience.
The interviewer will have a photo identification card, which he or she will show you. Always ask for identification from any caller not known to you.
What is the Family Resources Survey about?
The Family Resources Survey is wide ranging and asks households about issues that may affect everybody at some time in their lives: income and benefits; tenure and housing costs (whether you rent or pay a mortgage, for example); assets and savings; occupation and employment; health and ability to work; pensions; carers and those needing care (people who give or receive care because of sickness or disability).
How are the results used?
The results help the DWP build a picture of the incomes and circumstances of different groups of people. It is only with good information that decisions on policy issues can be made. The results from this study help the DWP answer questions like these:
- How many households take up all the benefits and tax credits they are entitled to?
- How many households 'gain' or 'lose' when taxes, benefits or the economic climate changes?
The results are important for a wide range of government and non-government bodies, including the Institute of Fiscal Studies and a number of charities. Additionally, the FRS includes questions which are designed to collect data for the European Union for their Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). These questions are used by the EU alongside other FRS data to monitor and inform policies aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion. More information on EU-SILC is available on the Eurostat website.
A sample of respondents to the FRS will be selected to take part in a follow-up study called the Survey on Living Conditions (SLC). The SLC is carried out by the ONS. More information on the SLC can be found on the SLC website.
Confidentiality
- You cannot be identified from the results.
- Your answers will be treated in strict confidence in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
- The results are used for statistical and research purposes only.
- Names and addresses are never included with the results.
The information you give will be treated as strictly confidential as directed by the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. It will be used to produce statistics that will not identify you or anyone in your household. Survey information is also provided to other approved organisations for statistical purposes only. All such statistics produced are subject to the Code and the same standards of protection are applied to your information at all times.
What happens now?
The interviewer will contact you in the near future to explain the study in more detail, and answer any questions you may have.
If you would like to arrange a time and date please feel free to ring the number on the letter you have been sent. If you would feel happier to have a friend or family member with you during the interview, please tell the interviewer who will arrange with you a best time to conduct the interview.
