In fact

 
January 20, 1996

Most adults in London are single; including 80 per cent of those aged under 30. In every other large city and county at least 55 per cent of people aged 16 and over are married. [Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Findings no. 87]

In welfare services and health care, people aged over 85 cost 15 times as much per head as people aged 5-64. [The Future of Britain and Europe, Policy Studies Institute]

25 per cent of British men favour further European integration, but only 18 per cent of women. [British Social Attitudes (Dartmouth, 1995)]

Between 1979 and the early 1990s the richest 20 per cent improved their share of disposable income from 36 per cent to 43 per cent. The poorest 20 per cent suffered a fall in their share, from 10 per cent to 6 per cent. Had the percentages stayed the same, the richest 20 per cent would be ?35 billion (?6,000 per household) worse off. The poorest 20 per cent would be ?17 billion (?3,000 per household) better off. [Social Trends (Central Statistical Office, 1995), and New Left Review]

Viz is read by nearly one in four 15 to 24-year-olds. [Social Trends]

80 per cent of 33-year-old women living with a man brought in substantially less than half their joint income. Without child benefit, 20 per cent of married women would be totally dependent on their partners. [Joseph Rowntree Foundation Findings no. 85]

The average amount of negative equity (1995) in Scotland is zero, in Greater London it is ?6,400. [Social Market Foundation, 1995]

One third of children under five years old and one quarter of children aged between five and 15 live in social housing, compared with 17 per cent of working age adults. [Joseph Rowntree Foundation Findings, no.87]