Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 October 1996. It was answered by John Major (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 1996 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: What policies Her Majesty's Government has established in support of the 1996 United Nations Year for the Eradication of Poverty; and what additional resources have been committed in support of these policies.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what policies Her Majesty's Government have established in support of the 1996 United Nations Year for the Eradication of Poverty: and what additional resources have been committed in support of these policies. [40491] The Prime Minister: The United Kingdom has extensive social protection and assistance arrangements, among the most comprehensive in the world. It is by working to maintain and improve living standards through economic and social policies that we will fulfil the aspirations of the United Nations Year for the Eradication of Poverty, and in a way relevant to our society. The most effective way of eradicating poverty is to promote flexible labour markets since this reduces the level of unemployment. Claimant unemployment has already fallen by over 125,000 so far this year. The UK has more of its people in work and a lower unemployment rate than any other major EU country.

Secondary information