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Child poverty figures: Ministers consult on changes Child poverty figures: Ministers consult on changes
(about 2 hours later)
Ministers are launching a consultation to find what it says is a better definition of child poverty.Ministers are launching a consultation to find what it says is a better definition of child poverty.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith will say in a speech that simply focusing on income levels is too narrow and other factors should be considered.Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith will say in a speech that simply focusing on income levels is too narrow and other factors should be considered.
The most recent figures showed there were fewer children in poverty - but this was largely because overall average incomes were on the decrease.The most recent figures showed there were fewer children in poverty - but this was largely because overall average incomes were on the decrease.
Labour has accused the government of "wiping out" progress on child poverty.Labour has accused the government of "wiping out" progress on child poverty.
Campaigners said housing and childcare costs should be included in the data.Campaigners said housing and childcare costs should be included in the data.
A child is considered to be living in poverty if their household income is less than 60% of averages wages.A child is considered to be living in poverty if their household income is less than 60% of averages wages.
Last year that figure equated to £251 per week which meant 2.3 million children were living in poverty.Last year that figure equated to £251 per week which meant 2.3 million children were living in poverty.
That is 300,000 fewer children than the year before but the reduction was due to average incomes falling rather than poorer families becoming better off.That is 300,000 fewer children than the year before but the reduction was due to average incomes falling rather than poorer families becoming better off.
'Many factors''Many factors'
Mr Duncan Smith will say that life is unchanged for these children and a broader definition of child poverty is needed.Mr Duncan Smith will say that life is unchanged for these children and a broader definition of child poverty is needed.
This would be one that looks at joblessness, educational failure and family breakdown as well as income.This would be one that looks at joblessness, educational failure and family breakdown as well as income.
Mr Duncan Smith is expected to say: "Across the UK, there are children living in circumstances that simply cannot be captured by assessing whether their household has more or less than 60% of the average income.Mr Duncan Smith is expected to say: "Across the UK, there are children living in circumstances that simply cannot be captured by assessing whether their household has more or less than 60% of the average income.
"There are many factors that impact on a child's wellbeing and ability to succeed in life... and measuring income alone does little to represent the experience of those in poverty."There are many factors that impact on a child's wellbeing and ability to succeed in life... and measuring income alone does little to represent the experience of those in poverty.
"As we saw earlier this year - when the child poverty level dropped by 2% - a fall in the median income may lift a family out of poverty on paper."As we saw earlier this year - when the child poverty level dropped by 2% - a fall in the median income may lift a family out of poverty on paper.
"Yet at a closer look, real incomes did not rise and absolute poverty was unchanged. For the 300,000 children no longer in poverty according to the official statistics, life was no different.""Yet at a closer look, real incomes did not rise and absolute poverty was unchanged. For the 300,000 children no longer in poverty according to the official statistics, life was no different."
Mr Duncan Smith will launch the consultation at the Clyde Children's Centre in Deptford, south-east London.Mr Duncan Smith will launch the consultation at the Clyde Children's Centre in Deptford, south-east London.
Schools Minister David Laws said: "Traditionally we have defined poverty simply by income. But this is not enough. The experience of child poverty is about more than whether their family income this week is low."Schools Minister David Laws said: "Traditionally we have defined poverty simply by income. But this is not enough. The experience of child poverty is about more than whether their family income this week is low."
Labour shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne accused ministers of "wiping out a decade of progress tackling child poverty in just one parliament".Labour shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne accused ministers of "wiping out a decade of progress tackling child poverty in just one parliament".
"If Ministers move an inch from the Child Poverty Act they supported in opposition, we will know they are about to abandon the fight against child poverty whilst giving an enormous tax cut to the richest in society," he said."If Ministers move an inch from the Child Poverty Act they supported in opposition, we will know they are about to abandon the fight against child poverty whilst giving an enormous tax cut to the richest in society," he said.
The Child Poverty Action Group said almost two-thirds of children living in poverty were in households where someone was in employment.The Child Poverty Action Group said almost two-thirds of children living in poverty were in households where someone was in employment.
Building more affordable homes and reducing childcare costs were the keys to reducing child poverty, the charity added.Building more affordable homes and reducing childcare costs were the keys to reducing child poverty, the charity added.
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