To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment his Department has made of the effects on socially-excluded people of the recession. (276397)

The Government are acutely aware of the importance of helping those who are socially excluded, which is why it is one of our top 30 priorities under PSA 16. In addition to “Real Help Now” measures, the Social Exclusion Task Force has started a project to identify further practical help to protect those on the cusp of a downward spiral into social exclusion and ensure that they come through the recession stronger.