Think of the children

[doodab]

Official government statistics suggest one in five children in the UK (2.6 million) lives in poverty.

For a family of four, that is defined as having an income of £347 a week or less.

A single person would struggle to survive on that in London, never mind a family of four.

BBC News - Children's commissioners warn on child poverty

[MarillionFan]

A single person would struggle to survive on that in London, never mind a family of four.

BBC News - Children's commissioners warn on child poverty

£347 per week. Minted.

[sasguru]

Wouldn't you get a council house, free school meals etc if you were at that level?

[minestrone]

I could live on 50 quid a week if I was so inclined.

[MarillionFan]

I could live on 50 quid a week if I was so inclined.

£60. You'll have to drop the cider.

Layabout on dole drinks 24 cans of lager a day | The Sun |News

[MrRobin]

Headline grabbing figures, but typical BBC neglect to explain the statistics.

The definition of 'poverty', in this case, is relative. Being in 'poverty' is defined as having an income below 60% of the median. Because of this statistical relationship there will always be 1 in 4/5/6 ish in 'poverty' so long as the typical (+ve skewed) income bell curve exists.

For example, give everyone in the country a 100% rise in income and there will STILL be 1 in 5 children in 'poverty'!

[doodab]

The definition of 'poverty', in this case, is relative. Being in 'poverty' is defined as having an income below 60% of the median. Because of this statistical relationship there will always be 1 in 4/5/6 ish in 'poverty' so long as the typical (+ve skewed) income bell curve exists.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/9/section/3

This does appear to be the case. Who puts these people in charge?

I suppose the idea is that only childless people should be living in poor households.