This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21697044

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
One-parent families triple in 40 years - ONS figures Proportion of one-parent families triple in 40 years - ONS figures
(35 minutes later)
The proportion of one-parent families in Britain has tripled in 40 years, the Office for National Statistics says.The proportion of one-parent families in Britain has tripled in 40 years, the Office for National Statistics says.
The General Lifestyle Survey suggests that in 1971 - when it began - 92% of families with dependent children were headed by a married or cohabiting couple, compared with 78% in 2011.The General Lifestyle Survey suggests that in 1971 - when it began - 92% of families with dependent children were headed by a married or cohabiting couple, compared with 78% in 2011.
Other findings show the proportion of adults living alone almost doubled between 1973 and 2011, from 9% to 16%.Other findings show the proportion of adults living alone almost doubled between 1973 and 2011, from 9% to 16%.
The proportion of women who have never married is 43%, up from 18% in 1979.The proportion of women who have never married is 43%, up from 18% in 1979.
'Smaller households''Smaller households'
The ONS said 7,960 households in Great Britain took part in its lifestyle survey for 2011, and it had conducted about 15,000 interviews with adults aged 16 or over.The ONS said 7,960 households in Great Britain took part in its lifestyle survey for 2011, and it had conducted about 15,000 interviews with adults aged 16 or over.
The survey also found the average household size has become smaller over the 40 years between 1971 and 2011.The survey also found the average household size has become smaller over the 40 years between 1971 and 2011.
In 1971, the average household size was 2.91 persons and by 2011 the average size was 2.35 persons. The fall, said the ONS, was most rapid between 1971 and 1991.In 1971, the average household size was 2.91 persons and by 2011 the average size was 2.35 persons. The fall, said the ONS, was most rapid between 1971 and 1991.
It also said the fall in average household size was due to an increase in the proportion of one-person households, which almost doubled between 1971 and 1998 (rising from 17% of households in 1971 to 29% in 1998) and has remained similar since.It also said the fall in average household size was due to an increase in the proportion of one-person households, which almost doubled between 1971 and 1998 (rising from 17% of households in 1971 to 29% in 1998) and has remained similar since.
In 2011, it was 31%.
Other findings include:Other findings include:
  • Cigarette smoking fell from 45% in 1974 to 20% in 2011
  • The proportion of men and women drinking on five or more days a week fell from 23% of men in 1998 to 16% in 2011, and from 13% to 9% for women
  • In 2011, 98% of households had central heating compared with 37% in 1972
  • Cigarette smoking fell from 45% in 1974 to 20% in 2011
  • The proportion of men and women drinking on five or more days a week fell from 23% of men in 1998 to 16% in 2011, and from 13% to 9% for women
  • In 2011, 98% of households had central heating compared with 37% in 1972
  • In 1971, half of households had access to a car or van, in 2011 this had increased to three quarters
    •
  • Since 2008, the proportion of people renting rose from 10% to 15% in 2011. However, the proportion of people renting was usually nearer 20% in the 1970s
    •
  • The proportion of households with a home computer increased from just over one in eight households (13%) in 1985 to eight in 10 households (80%) in 2011
    •
  • The proportion of men working full-time who were members of their current employer's occupational pension scheme decreased from 66% in 1983 to 54% in 2000, and has remained at a similar level every year since then
    •
  • The percentage of women working full-time who were members of their current employer's occupational pension scheme rose from 52% in 1987 to 60% in 2002. In 2011, 58% of women working full-time were members of their current employer's occupational pension scheme.
    •
Are you a single parent family? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. What is your reaction to the findings of the survey? Are you a single parent family? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.