Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Poverty

Monday 5 February 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported 42% of children in Bolton live below the poverty line.
  • Children in workless households are about five times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than those in working households.
  • The Government supports families through childcare support, cost of living offers, and an increase in the national living wage.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deidre Brock SNP
Economy Children & Families
Context

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report highlighted a significant reduction in child poverty after housing costs, but concerns remain about the adequacy of social security.

Question

What recent estimate has been made of the number of children in poverty? The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found 42% of children in Bolton live below the poverty line. With Tory cuts and incompetence, Britain now has one of the highest child poverty rates among major countries. What would the Minister say to a family who says 'One day we eat and one day we don't'?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Children living in workless households are about five times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than those where all adults work. The Government supports families through childcare support, cost of living offers, and the increase in the national living wage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether raising the universal credit basic rate is critical to tackling child poverty.

How: Focus On Wraparound Care, Individual Basis Support

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Q2 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Children & Families
Context

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report highlighted a significant reduction in child poverty after housing costs, but concerns remain about the adequacy of social security.

Question

Joseph Rowntree Foundation found 42% of children in Bolton live below the poverty line. After 14 years of Tory cuts and general incompetence, Britain now has one of the highest child poverty rates among major countries. What would the Minister say to a young family who told me 'One day we eat and one day we don't'?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Nobody wants to see families struggling. Children in workless households are about five times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than those in households where all adults work. The Government supports the whole family through childcare support, increased national living wage, and cost of living offers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the specific concerns raised about Tory cuts and incompetence.

How: Focus On Supporting Work

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Q3 Deidre Brock SNP
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report highlighted Scotland's lower child poverty rate compared to England and Wales, attributing it partly to the Scottish Government's child payment. Further progress is constrained by the UK's inadequate social security system.

Question

Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlights Scotland's lower child poverty rate attributed to its child payment scheme. The UK's inadequate social security system constrains further progress. Trussell Trust reports 90% of low-income households on universal credit cannot afford essentials. Does the Minister accept raising the universal credit basic rate is critical?

Answer from Jo Churchill

The welfare system is a strong safety net, not just about singular issues. It provides wraparound care and deals with people on an individual basis. Free school meals are provided where children need support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether raising the universal credit basic rate is critical to tackling child poverty.

How: Focus On Wraparound Care

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Q4 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
Economy Children & Families
Context

The Prime Minister claims that the Conservatives have lifted 1.7 million people out of absolute poverty since 2010, while Labour had a different approach.

Question

Prime Minister claims since 2010, the Conservatives lifted 1.7 million from absolute poverty. Can you tell me how many more people annually left poverty under Labour compared to the 1.7 million since 2010?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Since 2009-10, 1.7 million fewer people are in absolute poverty after housing costs, including 400,000 fewer children and 1 million fewer working-age adults. Work is a priority for the Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide an annual comparison of poverty reduction between Labour and Conservative governments.

How: Focus On Work As A Priority

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Q5 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
Economy Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The Minister accused Labour of not prioritising work, but the Prime Minister's claim about lifting people out of poverty since 2010 has been criticised as inadequate.

Question

If the Minister can point to when I said work was not a priority for Labour, she should say so or withdraw it. More than 350,000 more people left poverty annually under Labour compared to the Prime Minister's claim of lifting 1.7 million since 2010. Which had the biggest impact on poverty numbers: repealing Child Poverty Act 2010, shutting down child poverty unit, collapse in value of child benefit, or financial chaos in September 2022?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Over 1 million more people are in work and youth employment is up by around 40%. Ensuring dignity of work and a strong welfare system for those not working.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address which policy change had the most significant impact on reducing absolute poverty.

How: Focus On Employment

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