§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent further representations the Department for Work and Pensions has had from 127WA the chairman of the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust in relation to poverty and health and the adequacy of statutory minimum incomes; what their response has been; and whether they will take any action to establish public and transparent minimum income standards. [HL977]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamIn the past year, the Department for Work and Pensions has received a number of letters from the chairman of the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust. The responses have explained that there is no universally accepted single research method that can be used to calculate a minimum income standard for all families. Different research methods tend to make different assumptions and generate a range of estimates.
The Government's strategy sees poverty as more than just a measure of low income. Poverty is a complex and multi-dimensional problem that affects many aspects of people's lives. Details of the progress the Government are making can be found in Opportunity for All—making progress (Cm 5260), published on 19 September. This report demonstrates that there have been continued real improvements in the lives, prospects, incomes and opportunities of all families.