Figures put poverty target in doubt

Last Modified: 10 Jun 2008
By: James Blake

Today's figures showing a steep rise in child and pensioner poverty levels could hit Labour's pledge to halve child poverty by 2010.

Everyone knew the government would miss its target on cutting child poverty. But the rise of 100,000 in one year is even worse than predicted. And the 300,000 increase in pensioners living in poverty could be another big electoral blow for Labour.

The promise to halve child poverty in the UK by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020 was one of new Labour's most historic and ambitious pledges. But official figures released today have put the 2010 target in real doubt.

The number of children in relative poverty before and after housing costs are taken into account has risen by 100,000 between 2005-6 and 2006-7.

Figures for the same period also show the number of pensioners in poverty rising by 300,000 before housing costs.

Relative poverty describes a household earning 60 per cent less than the median income - for instance, for a couple with two children, that is anyone receiving less than £346 a week.

Ministers claimed that Labour had brought over half a million children out of poverty in the last decade, and insisted they were 100 per cent committed to the goals.