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ref date:29 Apr 2002 (cd)
Labour plans to push poorest further into poverty
In a misguided attempt to reduce petty crime and truancy in schools, Tony Blairs government is considering a proposoal to fine families with offending kids by reducing the level of child benefit they get from the state.

The idea is to introduce a fiscal sting to make parents reel in their wayward children. Of course, richer families will not notice this change, but poor families in Scotland, Northern England and others poor areas of the so called "UK" will see a dramatic fall in total income that can only lead to more crime.

Child poverty action groups have called Blairs plan insensitive and say it will only cause more poverty.