CS: Commission to set poverty line

October 14, 2012

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said the Poverty Commission will set a poverty line which is credible and widely acceptable to the community, adding the line can help the Government study the poverty problem and review the effectiveness of its poverty-alleviation measures.
 
Speaking to the media today, Mrs Lam said the 2011 survey on the poverty situation the Hong Kong Council of Social Service conducted showed the number of working poor had fallen after the implementation of the statutory minimum wage. However, there was an increase in the poor aged over 65.
 
She stressed the launch of the old age living allowance aims to relieve seniors' cost of living and the Government had adopted a lenient approach in setting the eligibility criteria. She hopes the Legislative Council will approve the funding.