Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The aims of this study were to: identify the range of factors operating in the tied cottage system and the way these interact; to obtain first-hand information from farmers and farm workers about the satisfactory and unsatisfactory features of the system; to assess the value of the tied cottage in both socio-economic and narrowly economic terms.

Main Topics:

Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions The Tied Cottage: condition of cottage and responsibility for maintenance. Farmworkers were asked for their assessment of need for tied cottages and if they had had any experience of legal, financial or welfare problems. Perception of disadvantages and anticipation of future problems (illness, retirement) were explored. Farm workers: employment conditions: length of service, hours, holidays, number of agricultural/non-agricultural jobs held, reasons for choice of agriculture, knowledge of industrial employment opportunities in area, advice on employment given to children, union membership. Income, use of and knowledge of financial and welfare agencies, preferred style of expenditure, forward planning. Commitment to local community: relatives living locally; children in school; length of stay in current house/job. Leisure activities. Background Variables Age, sex, marital status, number of children, residence: tenure (tied, council, privately rented, owner occupied); location (distance from farm, nearest schools and shopping centre); number of people/rooms in house; age of dwelling.

Quota sample

(i.e. if less than 10 employees on farm, quota = 100 per cent farmworkers: with more than 10 employ

Face-to-face interview