§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in the United Kingdom are classed as living in poverty. [27387]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThere is no simple meaningful way to define or measure poverty. Statistics on patterns of household disposable income for the United Kingdom are provided in "Households Below Average Income 1979 to 1992–93", published in June 1995 with minor revisions in October 1995, a copy of which is in the Library. However, income is not always an accurate guide to living standards, especially among households in the lowest income deciles.