For those who missed it, a transcript of that Paxman interview with Tony
Blair on Monday's Newsnight in which the Prime Minister refused to answer
the question 'Is it acceptable for the gap between rich and poor to get
bigger?' (or as Prof Davey Smith in today's Guardian puts it, said that he
had 'no objection' to the gap widening), is available at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/newsnight/newsid_1372000/1372220.stm
For me what is interesting about Blair's response is that he seems unaware
of what his Chancellor's commitment to reduce and then eradicate 'child
poverty' entails. Since 'poverty' is defined by the government as mere
income inequality (below half average equivalised household income), it
follows that closing the gap is actually an integral part of the
government's policy. Of course, other 'indicators' of poverty have been
flagged, but the one used to measure how many children/people are 'lifted
out' of poverty by government actions, is still centred on the number
living below the HBAI figure.
Paul A
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