NatCen Social Research

About the team
NatCen’s Communities, Work and Income team undertakes some of the most exciting and influential research to inform and evaluate social policy in the UK.

Our team bring significant expertise in:

• Work and welfare

• Income and pensions

• Inequality, poverty, and social exclusion

• Transport

• Housing and regeneration

• Energy, the environment and climate change

We take an integrated approach to answering research questions using the right mix of quantitative, qualitative, ethnographic, deliberative and desk research techniques.
Get in touch
To find out more about our services, please contact our team of Research Directors.

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Evaluation of the Inclusive Transport Strategy - DfT
The Inclusive Transport Strategy is an ambitious programme, led by DfT, to make travel easier for disabled people. The Strategy involves a very wide range of measures to support people with both visible and less visible disabilities to travel confidently, easily and without extra cost.

We are working with the Department over the next four years to evaluate both the delivery and impact of the Strategy, conducting large scale quantitative and qualitative research among disabled people, the travelling public, transport operators and Local Authorities.

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- Pension Freedoms - DWP
  
  In 2015 the Pension Freedoms legislation allowed people aged 55 or over to flexibly access their Defined Contribution pension pots. We were commissioned by DWP to investigate people’s expectations for their retirement income and wealth, the decisions they make about decumulation and what types of advice or guidance people use to make those decisions. After completing a Rapid Evidence Assessment to inform our decision we conducted qualitative depth interviews among over 80 participants in their 50s, 60s and 70s.
  
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Blog
Read about our researchers' experiences conducting surveys in areas ranging from housing through transport to climate change.

Click here for our blog posts.
Millions without Mail - Citizens Advice
People who are unable to receive their own post are at risk of missing out on health care services, benefits, housing support and employment opportunities. Based on a survey we conducted for Citizens Advice, an estimated 7 million people have not had secure access to their post at some point in the last ten years. They may have been homeless, survivors of domestic abuse, gypsies and travellers or live in precarious accommodation without a postal address.

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