Poverty in Britain By the end of 1999 a quarter(26%)of the British population were living in poverty, measured in terms of low income and multiple deprivation of necessities Roughly 9.5 million people in Britain today cannot afford adequate housing conditions about 8 million cannot afford one or more essential household goodsPoverty in Britain  By the end of 1999 a quarter (26%) of the British population were living in poverty, measured in terms of low income and multiple deprivation of necessities.  Roughly 9.5 million people in Britain today cannot afford adequate housing conditions.  About 8 million cannot afford one or more essential household goods