HC Deb 30 June 2003 vol 408 cc87-8W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 703W, on poverty definition, whether the new general definition of poverty will be announced rather than the specific measurement of child poverty. [121262]

Maria Eagle

'Measuring Child Poverty: a consultation document' was specific in its intention to cover only child poverty. We have a pledge to eradicate child poverty by 2020 and we need to ensure that we can monitor long-term progress in the best possible way. Our final conclusions will therefore centre on child poverty measures only.

'Opportunity for all: fourth annual report' (Cm 5598), sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents the latest information on the range of indicators used to measure progress against this strategy. The report includes over 50 indicators covering children and young people, people of working age, pensioners and communities. There is no "general definition of poverty" in this set.

All reports are available in the Library.

Back to