§ 55. Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action he intends to take to deal with the problems of the poverty trap, and of the disincentives for some income groups now to seek work.
§ Mr. OrmeI am well aware of the problems of the poverty trap, and also that its worst effects are rare in practice. The Government cannot in present circumstances give priority to further measures to contain its actual effects. As regards disincentives for some income groups to seek work, I cannot at this stage usefully add to what I said on this subject in the House in reply to Questions on 26th October.—[Vol. 918, c. 255–8.]