Monitoring poverty and social exclusion

Catherine Howarth et al, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York Publishing Services, 64 Hallfield Road, York YO31 7ZQ, 89 pages, A4 size, £16.95 plus £2 p&p

The number of children in households with below half of average income remains over three million, while the number of children in workless households is well over two million. These are just two of the 50 indicators of poverty and social exclusion which are vividly and graphically set out in this publication. It enables the reader to see at a glance whether the condition has improved, remained steady or worsened, and then to examine the figures in more detail.

This is the second annual issue of this publication which is a most valuable reference work for all those concerned with poverty and social exclusion.

Its only drawback is that it accepts the view of New Labour that the gross inequality of poverty and income generated by market forces is a fact of life which has to be accepted and not remedied by effective redistribution. Hence the absence of any indicators of inequality.