Boris Johnson accused of repeatedly citing ‘inaccurate’ child poverty figures
End Child Poverty Coalition says the PM’s comments were ‘deeply insulting’
Boris Johnson has repeatedly made misleading claims about the Conservative Party’s record on child poverty since taking office last year, the UK’s statistics watchdog has said.
Both during an interview with Andrew Marr in December and at Prime Minister’s Questions in June, Johnson claimed that the number of families and children in poverty had declined by 400,000 since 2010, the BBC reports. He has also said more recently that there were “100,000 fewer children in absolute poverty”.
The claims led the End Child Poverty Coalition to complain to the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), which has accused Johnson of using the data “selectively, inaccurately and, ultimately, misleadingly”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The OSR told the coalition that their “team investigated the statements which you highlight and has reached the same conclusion that these statements are incorrect”.
Four official measurements are used to assess levels of poverty in the UK, as The Guardian reports: “relative poverty, which records households which have less than 60% of contemporary median income, before and after housing costs; and absolute poverty, which tracks numbers in poverty against a 2010/11 baseline, also before and after housing costs.“
But the OSR has warned in a blog post that “there is a wrong way of using the available measures – and that is to pick and choose which statistics to use based on what best suits the argument you happen to be making”.
Labour is urging the PM Boris Johnson to “correct the record” on the issue.
“It is shameful the prime minister is unable to tell the truth about the hardship faced by so many families struggling to make ends meet,” said shadow education secretary Kate Green.
Responding to the criticism, a Downing Street spokesperson referred back to Johnson’s claim last month that as of December, “740,000 fewer children [were] living in a household where no one works”, but did not mention the figures that sparked the complaint.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Cure for Trump amnesia might be his NY trial'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tesla cuts prices in 'intensifying' EV war
Speed Read Electric vehicle giant has struggled in the face of weakening demand, competition from China and technical setbacks
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay: unwind at this picture-perfect resort
The Week Recommends The retreat that's ideal for recharging your batteries while experiencing life on an Indonesian island
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
'The Great Resignation has given way to the Big Stay'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published