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21 Nov 2005 : Column 1682W—continued

Poverty

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children were living in poverty in each (a) constituency and (b) local authority area in each of the last 30 years. [20314]

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income 1994/95–2003/04", available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.

The data source does not allow us to provide robust estimates below regional level. Estimates at a regional level can be provided using data from 1994–95.

The number of children in households with low incomes, by Government Office Regions, Scotland and Wales over the period 1994–95 to 2003–04, is presented in the following table:
Number of children Million

	Three-year rolling averages
	1994–95 to 1996–97	1995–96 to 1997–98	1996–97 to 1998–99	1997–98 to 1999–2000	1998–99 to 2000–01	1999–2000 to 2001–02	2000–01 to 2002–03	2001–02 to 2003–04
Before housing costs
North East	0.18	0.18	0.18	0.18	0.18	0.15	0.16	0.15
North West and Merseyside	0.41	0.42	0.47	0.47	0.43	0.38	0.36	0.36
Yorkshire and the Humber	0.33	0.33	0.34	0.34	0.32	0.30	0.28	0.27
East Midlands	0.21	0.21	0.22	0.21	0.22	0.21	0.22	0.21
West Midlands	0.27	0.33	0.33	0.32	0.31	0.31	0.29	0.29
Eastern	0.25	0.20	0.22	0.21	0.19	0.17	0.15	0.17
London	0.36	0.38	0.39	0.39	0.38	0.37	0.36	0.37
South East	0.27	0.28	0.28	0.27	0.24	0.24	0.22	0.22
South West	0.19	0.20	0.22	0.22	0.20	0.18	0.17	0.17
Wales	0.18	0.19	0.18	0.18	0.18	0.17	0.16	0.15
Scotland	0.30	0.31	0.31	0.29	0.27	0.26	0.25	0.24
After housing costs
North East	0.22	0.22	0.22	0.22	0.22	0.19	0.19	0.17
North West Merseyside	0.54	0.55	0.58	0.58	0.55	0.51	0.49	0.47
Yorkshire and the Humber	0.38	0.39	0.40	0.40	0.38	0.36	0.34	0.34
East Midlands	0.28	0.27	0.27	0.27	0.27	0.26	0.27	0.25
West Midlands	0.34	0.40	0.40	0.39	0.40	0.40	0.39	0.38
Eastern	0.36	0.30	0.32	0.30	0.29	0.28	0.27	0.27
London	0.61	0.64	0.65	0.65	0.64	0.63	0.61	0.60
South East	0.44	0.44	0.43	0.42	0.41	0.41	0.38	0.37
South West	0.31	0.31	0.32	0.32	0.30	0.29	0.27	0.28
Wales	0.23	0.23	0.23	0.23	0.23	0.21	0.20	0.19
Scotland	0.34	0.35	0.34	0.33	0.32	0.32	0.30	0.28

Notes:
1. Figures are provided using a three-year rolled average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide to year on year changes. Hence, figures are not consistent with previously published single-year estimates and there may be differences in changes over time. In circumstances such as a change in trend, rolled-averages will show less variation than single year estimates.
2. Table shows number of children in millions rounded to the nearest 10 thousand.
3. In this answer low income is determined for individuals as living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the GB median.





 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1683W
 

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) children and (b) pensioners were living in poverty in (i) Brent, (ii) Brent East and (iii) London in (A) 1997 and (B) 2005. [24480]

Margaret Hodge: Poverty is about more than low income. It is also about health, housing, education and the quality of the environment. The seventh annual 'Opportunity for all' report, published recently, sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this.

Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1994/95–2003/04", available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.

The information requested is not available below regional level. Information for numbers in London is presented in the following table.
Children and pensioners living in households in London with less than 60 per cent. of relative median household income 1996–97 to 1998–99 and 2001–02 to 2003–04

	Three-year rolling averages
	1996–97 to 1998–99	2001–02 to 2003–04
Before housing costs
Number of children (million)	0.39	0.37
Percentage of children	25	23
Number of pensioners (million)	0.19	0.19
Percentage of all pensioners	19	19
After housing costs
Number of children (million)	0.65	0.60
Percentage of children	41	38
Number of pensioners (million)	0.30	0.24
Percentage of all pensioners	30	24

Notes:
1. Figures are provided using a three-year rolled average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide to year on year changes. Hence, figures are not consistent with previously published single-year estimates and there may be differences in changes over time. In circumstances such as a change in trend, rolled-averages will show less variation than single year estimates.
2. In this answer low income is determined for individuals as living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the GB median.
3. Tables show numbers of children/pensioners in millions rounded to the nearest 10,000, and percentages to the nearest percentage point.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children were living in poverty in West Lancashire in each of the last 30 years for which figures are available. [27916]

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2003–04". The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.

Information below regional level is not available. Estimates at a regional level can be provided using data from 1994–95. The available information is in the table.
 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1684W
 

The number of children and the percentage of children living in households in households with low incomes, for the North West and Merseyside Government Office Regions, over the period 1994–95 to 2003–04

	Three year rolling averages
	Number of children (in millions)	Percentage of children
Before housing costs
1994–95 to 1996–97	0.41	26
1995–96 to 1997–98	0.42	26
1996–97 to 1998–99	0.47	30
1997–98 to 1999–2000	0.47	30
1998–99 to 2000–01	0.43	28
1999–2000 to 2001–02	0.38	25
2000–01 to 2002–03	0.36	23
2001–02 to 2003–04	0.36	23
After housing costs
1994–95 to 1996–97	0.54	34
1995–96 to 1997–98	0.55	35
1996–97 to 1998–99	0.58	37
1997–98 to 1999–2000	0.58	37
1998–99 to 2000–01	0.55	35
1999–2000 to 2001–02	0.51	33
2000–01 to 2002–03	0.49	32
2001–02 to 2003–04	0.47	30

Notes:
1. Figures are provided using a three-year rolled average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide to year-on-year changes. Hence, figures are not consistent with previously published single-year estimates and there may be differences in changes over time. In circumstances such as a change in trend, rolled-averages will show less variation than single year estimates.
2. Table shows number of children in millions rounded to the nearest 10 thousand.
3. In this answer low income is determined for individuals as living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the GB median.
Source:
Family Resources Survey

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) children, (b) pensioners and (c) working age adults have been living in (i) relative and (ii) absolute poverty in the UK since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [21959]

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1994/95–2003/04", available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.

There is no fully consistent low-income time series using a single data source since 1979. The latest time series on a consistent basis is only available from 1994–95, which is sourced from the Family Resources Survey and covers Great Britain. Previous HBAI results were sourced from the Family Expenditure Survey (FES), which employed a slightly different definition of income and related to the United Kingdom. FES estimates are also presented for GB, for consistency with the FRS.

The following table gives the number of children living in relative low income and the number in absolute low income for years that estimates are available from 1979. Absolute low income is defined here as living in a household with income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97
 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1685W
 
median income held constant in real terms, and relative low income is defined as below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income.

	Income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income held constant in real terms		Income below 60 per cent. of relative median income
	Before housing costs	After housing costs	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1979(51)	4.6	5.1	1.7	1.9
1981(51)	5.5	5.8	2.4	2.7
1987(51)	3.9	4.4	2.6	3.1
1988–89(51)	3.5	3.9	2.9	3.3
1990–91(51)	3.6	4.3	3.2	3.9
1991–92(51)	3.8	4.4	3.4	4.1
1992–93(51)	3.9	4.6	3.5	4.3
1993–94(51)	3.6	4.4	3.3	4.2
1979(52)	4.4	4.8	1.6	1.8
1981(52)	5.2	5.5	2.2	2.5
1987(52)	3.6	4.2	2.5	3.0
1988–89(52)	3.3	3.6	2.7	3.1
1990–91(52)	3.4	4.0	3.0	3.6
1991–92(52)	3.5	4.2	3.2	3.8
1992–93(52)	3.7	4.4	3.3	4.1
1993–94(52)	3.4	4.2	3.1	4.0
1994–95(53)	3.3	4.3	2.9	4.0
1995–96(53)	3.2	4.4	2.8	4.0
1996–97(53)	3.2	4.2	3.2	4.2
1997–98(53)	3.0	4.0	3.1	4.1
1998–99(53)	2.8	3.9	3.1	4.1
1999–2000(53)	2.4	3.6	3.0	4.1
2000–01(53)	2.0	3.0	2.7	3.8
2001–02(53)	1.6	2.5	2.6	3.7
2002–03(53)	1.5	2.2	2.6	3.6
2003–04(53)	1.4	2.2	2.6	3.5

Sources:
⁽⁵¹⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
⁽⁵²⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
⁽⁵³⁾ Family Resources Survey (GB).

The following table gives the proportions of children living in relative low income and the number in absolute low income for years that estimates are available from 1979.

	Income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income held constant in real terms		Income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income
	Before housing costs	After housing costs	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1979(54)	34	37	12	14
1981(54)	40	42	18	20
1987(54)	31	36	21	25
1988–89(54)	28	31	23	26
1990–91(54)	29	34	26	31
1991–92(54)	30	35	27	32
1992–93(54)	30	36	27	33
1993–94(54)	27	33	25	32
1979(55)	33	36	12	14
1981(55)	39	42	17	19
1987(55)	31	35	21	25
1988–89(55)	27	30	23	26
1990–91(55)	28	33	25	30
1991–92(55)	29	34	26	31
1992–93(55)	29	35	26	32
1993–94(55)	27	33	25	32
1994–95(56)	26	34	23	31
1995–96(56)	25	35	22	31
1996–97(56)	25	33	25	33
1997–98(56)	24	32	25	32
1998–99(56)	22	31	24	33
1999–2000(56)	19	28	23	32
2000–01(56)	16	23	21	30
2001–02(56)	12	20	21	30
2002–03(56)	12	18	21	28
2003–04(56)	11	17	21	28

Sources:
⁽⁵⁴⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
⁽⁵⁵⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
⁽⁵⁶⁾ Family Resources Survey (GB).



 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1686W
 

The following table gives the number of pensioners living in relative low income and the number in absolute low income for years that estimates are available from.

	Income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income held constant in real terms		Income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income
	Before housing costs	After housing costs	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1979(57)	5.6	5.5	2.5	2.6
1981(57)	5.4	5.3	1.5	1.9
1987(57)	4.2	4.6	2.4	2.7
1988–89(57)	4.3	4.5	3.3	3.8
1990–91(57)	3.9	4.0	3:3	3.6
1991–92(57)	3.4	3.8	2.9	3.3
1992–93(57)	3.0	3.6	2.5	3.0
1993–94(57)	2.5	3.2	2.2	2.8
1979(58)	5.5	5.4	2.4	2.5
1981(58)	5.2	5.1	1.5	1.8
1987(58)	4.1	4.5	2.3	2.6
1988–89(58)	4.2	4.4	3.2	3.8
1990–91(58)	3.8	3.9	3.2	3.5
1991–92(58)	3.3	3.7	2.8	3.2
1992–93(58)	2.9	3.5	2.4	2.9
1993–94(58)	2.5	3.1	2.2	2.7
1994–95(59)	2.5	3.1	2.1	2.7
1995–96(59)	2.5	3.1	2.2	2.6
1996–97(59)	2.2	2.8	2.2	2.8
1997–98(59)	2.2	2.6	2.3	2.7
1998–99(59)	2.1	2.4	2.4	2.7
1999–2000(59)	1.9	2.0	2.3	2.6
2000–01(59)	1.6	1.6	2.2	2.5
2001–02(59)	1.5	1.2	2.3	2.3
2002–03(59)	1.2	1.0	2.3	2.3
2003–04(59)	1.1	0.9	2.2	2.0

Sources:
⁽⁵⁷⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
⁽⁵⁸⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
⁽⁵⁹⁾ Family Resources Survey (GB).

The following table gives the proportions of pensioners living in relative low income and the number in absolute low income for years that estimates are available from.

	Income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income held constant in real terms		Income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income
	Before housing costs	After housing costs	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1979(60)	62	60	28	28
1981(60)	57	55	16	20
1987(60)	43	46	24	27
1988–89(60)	44	46	33	39
1990–91(60)	39	40	32	36
1991–92(60)	33	37	28	32
1992–93(60)	29	35	24	29
1993–94(60)	25	31	22	27
1979(61)	62	60	27	28
1981(61)	56	55	16	20
1987(61)	43	46	24	27
1988–89(61)	44	46	33	39
1990–91(61)	38	39	32	36
1991–92(61)	33	36	28	32
1992–93(61)	29	35	24	29
1993–94(61)	25	31	22	28
1994–95(62)	25	31	22	27
1995–96(62)	26	31	22	26
1996–97(62)	22	28	22	28
1997–98(62)	22	26	23	27
1998–99(62)	21	24	24	27
1999–2000(62)	18	20	23	26
2000–01(62)	16	15	22	24
2001–02(62)	14	12	23	23
2002–03(62)	12	10	22	22
2003–04(62)	11	9	21	20

Sources:
⁽⁶⁰⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
⁽⁶¹⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
⁽⁶²⁾ Family Resources Survey (GB).



 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1687W
 

The following table gives the number of working-age adults living in relative low income and the number in absolute low income for years that estimates are available from.

	Income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income held constant in real terms		Income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income
	Before housing costs	After housing costs	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1979(63)	6	6.7	2.3	2.6
1981(63)	7.1	7.7	2.9	3.5
1987(63)	6.4	7.4	4.3	5.3
1988–89(63)	5.8	6.5	4.7	5.5
1990–91(63)	5.6	6.6	4.9	6.0
1991–92(63)	6.0	7.2	5.4	6.5
1992–93(63)	6.0	7.4	5.4	6.7
1993–94(63)	5.5	6.9	5.0	6.5
1979(64)	5.7	6.4	2.2	2.5
1981(64)	6.8	7.3	2.8	3.3
1987(64)	6.1	7.1	4.1	5.1
1988–89(64)	5.5	6.1	4.4	5.2
1990–91(64)	5.4	6.3	4.7	5.7
1991–92(64)	5.7	6.9	5.1	6.2
1992–93(64)	5.8	7.1	5.1	6.5
1993–94(64)	5.2	6.7	4.8	6.3
1994–95(65)	5.3	7.1	4.8	6.5
1995–96(65)	5.0	7.0	4.5	6.4
1996–97(65)	4.9	6.8	4.9	6.8
1997–98(65)	4.6	6.3	4.8	6.4
1998–99(65)	4.3	6.0	4.7	6.3
1999–2000(65)	4.0	5.7	4.8	6.5
2000–01(65)	3.7	5.3	4.7	6.4
2001–02(65)	3.2	4.6	4.6	6.3
2002–03(65)	3.2	4.4	4.8	6.4
2003–04(65)	3.2	4.5	4.8	6.4

Sources:
⁽⁶³⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
⁽⁶⁴⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
⁽⁶⁵⁾ Family Resources Survey (GB).

The following table gives the proportions of working-age adults living in relative low income and the number in absolute low income for years that estimates are available from.

	Income below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income held constant in real terms		Income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income
	Before housing costs	After housing costs	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1979(66)	19	22	7	8
1981(66)	22	24	9	11
1987(66)	19	22	13	16
1988–89(66)	17	19	14	16
1990–91(66)	17	20	15	18
1991–92(66)	18	21	16	19
1992–93(66)	18	22	16	20
1993–94(66)	16	20	15	19
1979(67)	19	21	7	8
1981(67)	22	24	9	11
1987(67)	19	22	13	16
1988–89(67)	17	19	14	16
1990–91(67)	16	19	14	17
1991–92(67)	17	21	15	19
1992–93(67)	17	21	16	20
1993–94(67)	16	20	15	19
1994–95(68)	16	22	14	20
1995–96(68)	15	21	14	19
1996–97(68)	15	21	15	21
1997–98(68)	14	19	15	19
1998–99(68)	13	18	14	19
1999–2000(68)	12	17	14	20
2000–01(68)	11	16	14	19
2001–02(68)	10	14	14	19
2002–03(68)	9	13	14	19
2003–04(68)	9	13	14	19

Notes:
1. Tables show numbers in millions rounded to the nearest 100,000 and percentages rounded to the nearest percentage point.
2. The reference period for FRS figures is single financial years.
3. FES figures are single calendar years from 1979–87, two combined calendar years from 1988–89 to 1992–93 and two financial years combined for 1993–94.
Sources:
⁽⁶⁶⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
⁽⁶⁷⁾ Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
⁽⁶⁸⁾ Family Resources Survey (GB).



 
21 Nov 2005 : Column 1688W
 

Further information showing the proportion and number of individuals living in low income households, including annual levels, can be found in the publication Households Below Average Income 1994/95–2003/04". This also reports statistics between 1979 and 1995–96, using the data source and income definitions previously employed for the 'Households Below Average Income' series.

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