Commenting on the IFS analysis of poverty figures released today, Mark Littlewood, the Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

“Today’s figures tell us very little about actual poverty levels in the UK. We urgently need to review how poverty is measured. The current measures are arbitrary, they are not connected to the price of actual goods which people need to survive.

“We need a plan for economic growth, which will also help keep prices down.”

Notes to editors

To arrange an interview with Mark Littlewood, IEA Director General, please contact Stephanie Lis, Communications Director, 077 5171 7781, 020 7799 8900, slis@iea.org.uk.

The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.

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