Iain Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, invariably gives the example of drug or alcohol addiction when arguing that poverty is not just about low incomes. The other week, the Department for Work and Pensions published the findings of public polling , carried out as part of a consultation on the measurement…
Not the government it would appear. Non take-up of means-tested benefits is a perennial problem in the social security system. Annual statistics, published by the Department for Work and Pensions, track trends in the estimated amounts unclaimed of the six main means-tested benefits and the numbers not claiming. The latest figures show an estimated £7.52bn…
There was a question on child poverty last Thursday and I came in on the issue of Baby Bonds or the Child Trust Fund to give its proper title. I think the abolition of Baby Bonds was one of the governments worst acts in the area of child poverty. Baby Bonds were awarded to all new born…
