§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the recent UNICEF report on Poverty in The United Kingdom. [126570]
§ The Prime MinisterThis report shows that in the last 20 years child poverty has trebled in the UK. The data used in the report relate to 1995 and reflect the situation under the previous administration.
I have already made a commitment to eradicating child poverty within 20 years, and halving it within 10. The report confirms this government have made a very good start and that the measures we have already announced will lift around one million children out of poverty by 2002.
The report also highlights the importance of work for those who can as the best way of reducing child poverty. We are already tackling this through the New Deals, the Working Families Tax Credit and the minimum wage. Increases in the income-related benefits and Child Benefit will help those for whom work is not yet an option. By the end of this parliament we will be spending £7 billion extra on families with children.