§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much would the Government have to increase(a) Working Families Tax Credit and (b) child benefit to achieve each of the Government's targets on child poverty using the Government's macro-economic assumptions and assuming that the proportion of children living in households below 60 per cent. of median household income otherwise remained the same. [6357]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Government's third annual anti-poverty report "Opportunity for All" was published in September. The report shows encouraging progress against a range of indicators.
The Government's strategy is both to tackle current issues and to break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage for the long term. This requires action beyond the WFTC and child benefit. The strategy includes: ensuring a decent family income—with work for those who can and extra support for those who cannot; access to excellent public services; targeted interventions for those with additional needs and at key stages in life; and harnessing the power and expertise of the voluntary and community sector.