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<p>(1) & (2) We disagree with the reports emphasis and analysis being solely based on a relative poverty measure. There are 300,000 fewer children (both before and after housing costs) living in absolute poverty since 2010.</p><p>(3) & (4) The risk of being in absolute poverty (before housing costs), if you are in work, has remained broadly stable over time. Also, there is an 8 per cent chance of working-age adults being in absolute poverty (before housing costs), which is the lowest since 2005. For children in couple families, there is only a 2 per cent chance of being in absolute poverty (before housing costs) if both parents work full-time. Also, the majority of those in-work poverty are those with part-time work only, single earner couples, or those in full-time self-employment. Finally, Universal Credit helps by incentivising the entry into work, offering smooth incentives to increase hours, and setting a general expectation that lone parents and partners should work (if not caring for young children or a disabled person) and offers generous childcare subsidies.</p> |