Child Poverty
Debate between Iain Duncan Smith and Steve McCabe(9 years, 5 months ago)
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Mr Duncan Smith
I should tell them that they should wait, as should the hon. Lady, to see what we bring forward. They may be surprised.
Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)
Has the Secretary of State considered calls for the establishment of a child poverty prevention board or council, as happens elsewhere, so that we can focus all our energies on the things that really make a difference and avoid getting trapped in a sterile debate about how we measure, rather than how we reduce, poverty?
Mr Duncan Smith
That is an interesting question. I agree that it is important to get beyond this sterile debate. I want to bring to the House what I consider to be the right measures, and then I will be happy to discuss options. The right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Frank Field) has come up with an idea, and I am happy to discuss that as well.