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<p><strong> </strong></p><p>The TUC figures estimate that an extra one million children
in working families will be in relative low income in 2018/19 compared to 2009/10
on an after housing cost basis. During this period, there has been an increase in
both the child population and the numbers of people in employment. The overall proportion
of children in relative low income on an After Housing Cost basis was 30 per cent
in both 2009/10 and 2016/17. This figure is not directly affected by both changes
in the population and the increase in children in working families so provides a better
assessment of what has happened since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, absolute low
income measures, which assess living standards for low income households against inflation,
show the proportion of children in absolute low income on an After Housing Costs basis
fell from 28 per cent to 26 per cent between 2009/10 and 2016/17. Furthermore, the
latest national statistics show the proportion of children in material deprivation
and low income has never been lower. Both of these suggest the living standards of
children in low income households have been improving in real terms over this period.</p><p>
</p><p>Children in workless families are five times more likely to be in low income
than those in working families demonstrating that work is the best route out of poverty.
The number of people in employment has risen by three million since 2010. Increases
in the National Living Wage and Tax Allowances have increased the incomes of working
families. Around half of working people who are in low income are self- employed or
work part time. Universal Credit has been designed to encourage people into work and
to increase their earnings in order to improve their living standards.</p>
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