Child poverty figures: Ministers consult on changes

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has been explaining why ministers are seeking a new definition of child poverty.

Currently, children are deemed to be living in poverty if their family income is less than 60% of the average.

Mr Duncan Smith told BBC Breakfast that this definition meant that child poverty had decreased - but only because the economic downturn meant average incomes had fallen.

He says other factors should be considered when measuring poverty, including debt, family life, addiction and abuse.