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Poverty

Asked by Tom HayesLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 16 September 2024UIN 4821

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will bring forward legislation to introduce target dates to eradicate poverty for vulnerable groups.

Answered by Alison McGovern

We are committed to tackling poverty. As set out in our manifesto, good work will be the foundation of our approach for people of working age. Our New Deal for Working People, including ensuring that the minimum wage is a genuine living wage, along with reformed employment support will mean that many more people will benefit from the dignity and purpose of employment.

We have also announced a number of initial steps to support children and families including free breakfast clubs in every primary school so children don’t go hungry, protecting renters from arbitrary eviction and banning exploitative zero hours contracts.

Our Ministerial Taskforce, jointly chaired Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries, has started urgent work on an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy and will explore all available levers to drive forward actions across government to reduce child poverty, tackle its root causes and give every child the best start in life. The Strategy will be published in Spring 2025.

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