_ |
_ |
|
_ |
_ |
|
_ |
| _ |
| _ |
|
_ |
| _ |
|
_ |
CHILD AND PENSIONER POVERTY UP AGAIN
Figures published today showing Below Average Income Households, reveal both child and pensioner poverty has risen.
Child poverty is up by 100,000 children, both before and after housing costs. The number of children in poverty now stands at 2.9 million before housing costs and 3.9 million after housing costs, effectively unchanged for the last five years.
Pensioner poverty has also risen by 300,000 people, both before and after housing costs. The number of pensioners living in poverty now stands at 2.5 million before housing costs and 2.1 million after housing costs. Pensioner poverty is now higher than it was in 1997.
The incomes of the poorest 10% of households are also falling, with incomes lower than they were in 2002. Commenting on the figures, Stretford and Urmston's Conservative parliamentary spokesman Mark Versallion said: “These figures are further proof that the Government has run out of steam."
"Tackling child and pensioner poverty has been central to their strategy and one where Gordon Brown has boasted again and again about the difference they are making. The truth however is very different and it is a Labour Government that are failing the most vulnerable."