It’s been reported that the Government will later this week announce new measures to combat child poverty. Among the proposals under consideration are action to reduce energy and water bills and an extension to the free school meals programme. It is understood that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith MP, is thought to be pushing for a redefinition of the term ‘child poverty’ to include factors other than just household income. However, there are reportedly concerns in HM Treasury that such a move could lead to the Government being accused of ‘massaging’ the figures.
The Times (£).
