§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to issue a precise definition, measurement, criteria and indicators of absolute poverty, as required by the agreement contained in article 26d at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March. [26759]
§ Mr. BurtThe agreement reached at the UN world summit for social development recognises that indicators of poverty and vulnerability should be developed in the light of national circumstances. However, the characteristics of absolute poverty outlined in paragraph 19 of the programme of action are not typical of individuals in a well developed industrialised country such as the United Kingdom. I do not therefore propose to take action in pursuit of paragraph 26d, beyond the coverage of existing regular statistics and surveys.