Under the existing measure, introduced by the previous Labour government, children living in households with an income of 60 per cent or less of the median national income, are deemed to be living in poverty.
The Times newspaper has claimed the government was considering scrapping the measure altogether, only to be met with strong opposition from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and children’s minister Sarah Teather.
The apparent motivation for the move was concern that the level could increase as a result of measures announced in Chancellor George Osborne’s autumn statement, resulting in negative press headlines.
The situation would represent the second time in recent months that Teather has stood up to government, having previously expressed concern over benefit cap levels.
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