To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the (a) number and (b) proportion of children living in poverty who would benefit from measures to benefit married couples through the tax system. (317963)

The number and proportion of children living in poverty who would benefit depends on the specific measure considered to benefit married couples through the tax system; and whether all married couples would benefit or just those with children below a certain age. When considering reforms of this type, it is important to take into account that children in lone-parent families face a higher chance of living in relative poverty than children in couple families. The Households Below Average Income 1994/95-2007/08 publication shows that 36 per cent. of children living in lone-parent families fall below the 60 per cent. median income threshold (before housing costs), against 18 per cent. of children in couple families.