§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has initiated into child poverty in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [107419]
§ Mr. HansonI have not initiated any research into child poverty in Wales. However, the Government are committed to tackling poverty and social exclusion in the UK. The Government's Poverty Strategy Report "Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion" launched in September 1999 set out a concerted cross-Government drive to highlight the underlying cases of poverty and social exclusion.
The National Assembly for Wales has set up a Social Exclusion Unit to look at poverty issues and will promote effective joint working to combat family poverty and social exclusion in Wales.
In addition, the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty has agreed to future joint working between the UK Government and the devolved administrations to tackle poverty across the UK.