§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of children living in poverty in the United Kingdom; and if he will provide a breakdown for children aged(a) 0 to four years, (b) five to 10 years, (c) 11 to 15 years and (d) 16 years and above, providing in each case the numbers affected and the proportion of the relevant age group. [127859]
§ Mr. BayleyPoverty is a multi-dimensional problem which cannot be defined solely on the basis of a particular level of income. One indicator which may be used, however, is whether the income of households is below 60 per cent. of median. The following table provides this information for the proportion of children living in households below 60 per cent. of median equivalised income in 1998–99 in the age bands requested.
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Proportion of children below 60 per cent. of median equivalised income in 1998–99, including the self-employed Before housing costs After housing costs Total children in group Age bands Number (million) Proportion Number (million) Proportion Number (million) Children aged 0–4 0.7 21 1.2 34 3.5 Children aged 5–10 1.2 27 1.6 36 4.5 Children aged 11–15 0.9 26 1.1 32 3.6 Children aged 16 and above 0.3 23 0.3 25 1.3 All children 3.1 24 4.2 33 12.8 Notes:
1. The source is Households Below Average Income (HBAI). Estimates are derived from the Family Resources Survey.
2. All figures are subject to sampling error and response biases. Results may be sensitive to the precise way in which household incomes are adjusted for household size and composition.
3. Estimates are presented on household income both Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC) in line with HBAI conventions.
4. HBAI defines a child as an individual aged under 16, or an unmarried 16 to 18-year-old on a course up to and including 'A' level standard (or up to and including "highers" in Scotland).