(2) what account he took of the Government's objectives on child poverty in determining the tax regime for married couples; and if he will make a statement.
The principle of independent taxation means each individual has his or her own allowances and income tax rate bands. Levels of financial support in the tax credit system are determined by the level of need, and do not favour any particular household composition.
As a result of the Government's changes to taxes and benefits, 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty and 1.8 million children lifted out of absolute poverty in the UK between 1998-99 and 2005-06.