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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, chaired the fourth meeting of the Commission on Poverty (CoP) this afternoon (May 24).
The Central Policy Unit briefed the meeting on the findings of local academics on the current situation and causes of poverty in Hong Kong. Members noted that poverty in Hong Kong primarily originated from four interrelated aspects, namely structure, system, culture, and personal and socio-economic status. Members urged the Government to formulate new policy so as to mitigate causes of poverty and promote upward social mobility of the grass roots. The Commission also took this as its future work direction.
In addition, the CoP initiated discussion on how to support low-income working families not on the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme. Members reviewed existing government support to these families and noted views received earlier from various sectors during the consultation on the Policy Address and the Budget.
Ends/Friday, May 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:17
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