Poverty in Britain One in six people (17%)considered themselves and their families to be living in absolute poverty as defined by the United nations Less than 10% of the population sees a dishwasher, a mobile phone, Internet access or satellite television as necessities This study was undertaken by researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Loughborough York and heriot-Watt with fie/dwork undertaken by the office for National StatistiCS(ONSPoverty in Britain  One in six people (17%) considered themselves and their families to be living in 'absolute poverty' as defined by the United Nations.  Less than 10% of the population sees a dishwasher, a mobile phone, Internet access or satellite television as necessities.  This study was undertaken by researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Loughborough, York and Heriot-Watt with fieldwork undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)