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Child poverty figures: Ministers consult on changes Child poverty figures: Ministers consult on changes
(about 4 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. Recent figures showed fewer children in poverty - but largely because falling wages have narrowed the gap between the poorest and average earners.
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. "If ministers move an inch from the Child Poverty Act they supported in opposition, we will know they are - whilst giving an enormous tax cut to the richest in society," said shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne.
'No different'
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 was 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'
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. Held to account
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." But Chris Wellings, from Save the Children, said any new method of assessing child poverty must not be too broad to gauge progress or lack of it on the problem.
Labour shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne accused ministers of "wiping out a decade of progress tackling child poverty in just one parliament". "The previous measure was very sharp, it allowed us to hold the government to account," 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. "Any new measure needs to retain income and needs to retain an ability for us to really hold the government to account for their action on child poverty."
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.
What is the best way to tackle child poverty? Are you finding it hard to make ends meet? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. Mr Duncan Smith will launch the consultation at the Clyde Children's Centre in Deptford, south-east London.