Menu
15/11/2012
Factors Used To Measure Child Poverty To Expand
Factors used to measure child poverty could change to include family breakdown, drug addiction, debt and education results, ministers say.
While recent figures showed fewer children in poverty, this was largely because falling wages have narrowed the gap between the poorest and average earners.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith says the current income-based method of measuring poverty is too simple, and has announced he is launching a consultation on how to include other factors.
But Labour suggested that the government was trying to "distract attention" from "rather bleak" trends in child poverty data.
A child is considered to be living in poverty if their household income is less than 60% of averages wages.
Last year that figure equated to £251 per week, which meant 2.3 million children were living in poverty.
That was 300,000 fewer children than the year before - but the reduction was due to average incomes falling rather than poorer families becoming better off.
Mr Duncan Smith says life is unchanged for these children and a broader definition of child poverty is needed.
(H)
While recent figures showed fewer children in poverty, this was largely because falling wages have narrowed the gap between the poorest and average earners.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith says the current income-based method of measuring poverty is too simple, and has announced he is launching a consultation on how to include other factors.
But Labour suggested that the government was trying to "distract attention" from "rather bleak" trends in child poverty data.
A child is considered to be living in poverty if their household income is less than 60% of averages wages.
Last year that figure equated to £251 per week, which meant 2.3 million children were living in poverty.
That was 300,000 fewer children than the year before - but the reduction was due to average incomes falling rather than poorer families becoming better off.
Mr Duncan Smith says life is unchanged for these children and a broader definition of child poverty is needed.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 November 2008
Ministers Attend London Child Poverty Summit
There's to be a combined effort to tackle the issue of child poverty today as Children's Minister, Beverley Hughes; Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms; Minister for London, Tony McNulty; Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell meet to discuss London's child poverty problems and to announce a joint tar
Ministers Attend London Child Poverty Summit
There's to be a combined effort to tackle the issue of child poverty today as Children's Minister, Beverley Hughes; Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms; Minister for London, Tony McNulty; Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell meet to discuss London's child poverty problems and to announce a joint tar
19 June 2007
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
11 February 2004
Child poverty group calls for plans to revise figures to be dropped
A children's campaign group has claimed that the government is planning to introduce an accounting method which could see up to one million children in poverty wiped off official statistics. The group, End Child Poverty, issued its call as Secretary of State Andrew Smith appears before a Commons Work and Pensions select committee today.
Child poverty group calls for plans to revise figures to be dropped
A children's campaign group has claimed that the government is planning to introduce an accounting method which could see up to one million children in poverty wiped off official statistics. The group, End Child Poverty, issued its call as Secretary of State Andrew Smith appears before a Commons Work and Pensions select committee today.
28 January 2009
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
11 October 2011
Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
