Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

What progress his Department is making on reducing poverty.

Since 2010, there are 600,000 fewer people in absolute poverty – a record low.

This Government is committed to action that delivers a lasting change to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people in society. This requires an approach that goes beyond the safety net of the welfare system to tackle the root causes of poverty and disadvantage.

The evidence is clear that work is the best route out of poverty. Children in workless households are 5 times more likely to be in poverty than those in households where all adults work. And children in workless families are also more disadvantaged, and achieve poorer educational and employment outcomes than other children.

That is why we will continue with polices that support and encourage employment - reforming the welfare system to make work pay. And these policies are working: since 2010, there are 3 million more people in work, with 954,000 fewer workless households, and 608,000 fewer children in workless households.