§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate the Government have 1729WS made of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of children lived in poverty in (i) St. Helens and (ii) the UK, broken down by region, in each year since 1997; [186825]
(2) what estimate the Government have made of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of children lived in low-income households in (i) St. Helens and (ii) the UK, broken down by region, in each year since 1997; [186824]
(3) what the Government's performance has been against each of its child poverty reduction targets in (a) St. Helens and (b) the UK, broken down by region, since 1997. [186806]
§ Mr. PondPoverty and social exclusion are complex and multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of peoples' lives—including their living standards, health, housing, the quality of their environment—and not just low income. The sixth annual "Opportunity For All" report (Cm 6329) sets out the Governments strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this strategy.
Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain and the United Kingdom is available in "Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2002—03". Data are not available below regional level.
"Measuring Child Poverty", published in December 2003, outlines the Government's measure of UK child poverty for the long term. This new measure will begin from 2004–05.
All publications listed are available in the Library.