A passionately expressed and extensively researched study by journalist Polly Toynbee, into the lives of the poor end of society that everyone else, on the whole, would rather not have to think about.

For the sake of social experiment, Toynbee moves into one of the poorest and most destitute council estates in London and sets about attempting to live on the minimum wage, scraping by just like her neighbours and colleagues. From furnishing her flat at minimum cost from a local charity project, to surviving on less than ten pounds’ worth of food for a fortnight, she aims to live authentically, taking on a variety of low-paid manual jobs, including a care home assistant, hospital porter, school cook and nursery nurse, to pay her way.

Despite her admirable goal (and a fairly admirable achievement), Toynbee never really makes her study as authentic as the blurb suggests. She doesn’t actually utilise benefits services, instead paying large donations for their cooperation. She still flits back to her 'old life’ as a journalist from time to time, to her nice house, when things get a bit dire. Some of the most profound moments actually stem from this, showing the difference in her two sets of wages, and the reactions of the benefit agencies to her hypothetical concerns.

This is definitely a worthwhile read, but sadly lacks grit and tails off to a disappointingly political and long-winded conclusion. Could have been done better. ( )

An eye opener. Compassionate, engaging, well written. ( )

I knew before reading this that the gap between the rich and poor has widened considerably in the UK since the 1970s, but Toynbee really gets across the degree to which the poor have been left behind as the country got wealthier. A persuasive and convincing book; if only we had enough of a social conscience to drive change and become as equitable as Sweden or Norway.