6 April 2006 - New research shows better standard of living for families
New research from the DWP on families demonstrates the improvements that have been made in tackling poverty as well as underlining the importance of the Government’s plans to reform the Welfare State in enabling more people to get off benefits and into work.
‘Families with Children in Britain: Findings from the 2004 Families and Children Study’ gives a detailed and illustrative picture of family life in the UK showing that more families are now enjoying a better standard of living.
The report also emphasises the vital role that work plays in enabling families to lift themselves out of the trap of poverty.
Margaret Hodge welcomed the report and said:
“We have made great strides in tackling some of the long-term poverty problems faced by this country - for example the incomes of the poorest households in this country are growing faster than any other group of the population.
“But we know that there is a great deal more to do. Our plans for the Reform of the Welfare state outlined in the recent Green Paper, the redesign of the child support system, as well as our plans to improve the CSA in the shorter term, will all be absolutely vital to ensuring further progress.
“What this report makes absolutely clear is how vital work is to ensuring we find a lasting solution. And whilst there are 1 million lone parents in work – which has had a major impact on the number of children living in poverty, clearly we need to go further.
“We know that there are job opportunities out there but what we must do now is ensure we have a welfare state geared up to ensuring people can take full advantage of them.
“But I am hugely encouraged by the fact that this research shows that more families are now able to enjoy the sort of things that many of us take for granted.”
Notes for Editors
- ‘Families with children in Britain: Findings from the 2004 Families and Children Study (FACS)’ was published today by the DWP. It is available at: www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rrs2006.asp
- ‘A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work’ is available at: www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform
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