Written by Beth Watts and Dan Vale as part of the Mapping Needs programme, this paper explores the conceptualization of the 'bottom 2.5 percent' - the individuals in the lowest incomes scale who face deep and persistent exlcusion from society. Some of the questions that are raised in this paper are: Who are these people and why are they important to examine?

This paper hopes to utilise the insights of previous and continuing work, but also to extend existing approaches and question the assumptions implicit within them. It lays out some challenges, poses some questions and shares our thoughts as they have so far progressed. It does not provide definitive answers, but aims to stimulate a conversation that will inform the Mapping Needs programme, and contribute towards developing new insights into hidden and unmet social needs in Britain.

Download a full pdf version of the report.