Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Eurostat figures and analysis published on 17 October, <i>The share of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU back to its pre-crisis level</i>, what plans they have to work with (1) the EU and other international partners, and (2) the UK devolved administrations, in reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

The PM has been clear that tackling poverty and disadvantage, and delivering real social reform, will be a priority for this Government. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has said that he will return to the House with further announcements over the coming months.

The Devolved Administrations have an important role in reducing the numbers of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion and we will continue to engage with them where appropriate.

Additionally, the UK participates in the Semester process. The European Semester was set up in 2010 to implement the Europe 2020 strategy, which includes a target for poverty reduction. As such, this includes looking at the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the UK.