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Treasury

Answer

Mr. Welsh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the UK joint ministerial committee on poverty has to consider debt. [153075] Mr. Gordon Brown: [holding answer 12 March 2001]: Tackling financial exclusion is an essential part of the Government's strategy to tackle social exclusion. Details of the Government's progress with the agenda to reduce financial exclusion are set out in the "National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: Policy Action Team Audit report", which was published in January. A copy of this document can be found in the Library. The Government are also keen that individuals do not take on debts that they cannot afford to repay. That is why the DTI has set up an industry taskforce specifically to address concerns about increasing levels of debt. The joint ministerial committee on poverty was established to consider joint or co-ordinated action by the UK Government and the devolved Administrations to tackle poverty and social exclusion and to facilitate exchanging information and sharing best practice. As with all ministerial committees and as laid out in the memorandum of understanding and supplementary agreements on the joint ministerial committee, the proceedings of the joint ministerial committee and its sub-committees are confidential.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

153075; 365 c30-1W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Consumers Disadvantaged Debts Devolution Credit Poverty Debt Task Force Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk