Poverty in Britain is continuing to decline, finds a new study.

But while fewer families and pensioners are living on low incomes, the number of childless working-age adults below the poverty line has increased, according to a report by the New Policy Institute for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Stakeholder Response: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Guy Palmer, director of the New Policy Institute and co-author of the report, said: "There has been substantial success over the last decade in reducing child and pensioner poverty, and unemployment.

"There has been much less success in reducing the numbers of people who are economically inactive but want paid work, as well as long-term worklessness due to sickness and disability, and poverty among childless, working-age households.

"There is a large overlap between these groups and, clearly, they present a major challenge for future policy."

Stakeholder Response: Help the Aged

Paul Cann, director of policy for Help the Aged , said: "Help the Aged welcomes as ever the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's expert spotlight on the widespread poverty that exists in the