Government shows more poverty

THERE are appalling levels of poverty in Britain according to the government's own figures, the national coordinator of Church Action on Poverty sail this week.
The government report, "Households Below Average Income: A Statistical Analysis 1981-87", shows the widening gap between rich and poor today, Paul Goggins said.
The figures show that in 1979, 9.4 per cent (4.93 million people) had incomes below half the average. In 1987 this had increased to 19.4 per cent (10.5 million people).
"This report reflects the position in 1987 — three years ago," Mr Goggins stressed. "When other factors such as the 1988 tax changes, the erosion in the value of pensions and child benefit, and the distributional impact of poll tax are taken into account, then the picture for today looks worse still."
If you are elderly, disabled, a lone parent or unemployed you are much more likely to be in the poorest group, Mr Goggins explained. These groups, he said, are becoming trapped in poverty at an alarming rate.