The Commission on Poverty will hold a public consultation on schemes for helping children in poor families, such as trust, personal development, and targeted savings funds.

Chairing the commission's meeting today, Financial Secretary Henry Tang said the Government is open to proposals promoting child development, especially those from a socially disadvantaged background. He said it will, in the short-term, consider investing additional resources to encourage pilot programmes that encourage needy children's personal development and asset building.

The Task Force on Children & Youth Chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said efforts to tackle intergenerational poverty will only be effective if they increase children's capacity. In view of this argument, more non-governmental organisations and the business sector should be encouraged to collaborate in launching demonstration projects.