§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he proposes to involve people living in poverty in the design, implementation, monitoring and assessment of national strategies and programmes for poverty eradication, as required in article 28a of the action programme agreed at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March. [26758]
§ Mr. BurtThe Department already consults widely with representative non-governmental organisations and other groups on proposed initiatives and policy changes. In addition, Ministers regularly meet with organisations representing vulnerable groups.
§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to issue a national poverty eradication plan in compliance with article 26b of the action programme agreed at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March. [26757]
§ Mr. BurtI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 10 May,Official Report, column 496.
§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to issue a report on collaboration with European and other Governments on the evaluation of policies to combat poverty in accordance with article 29 of the action programme agreed at the world summit for social development. [26756]
§ Mr. BurtThere is no requirement in paragraph 29 of the programme of action to issue such a formal report and we have no plans to do so.
There is regular discussion and evaluation of social policies in a variety of international forums in which the UK participates.