The Government is planning to spend £200m of lottery money in an effort to reduce truancy and youth crime. 8,000 homework clubs will be the first venture of the new Social Exclusion Unit. The announcment came as the government faces a backbench revolt in the Commons over its plans to cut lone parent benefits.

The Social Exclusion Unit will co-ordinate efforts to help free the most alienated and disadvantaged people in society from the vicious circle of poverty, unemployment and crime.

Many people would say that the poor should help themselves. They say that the government doesn't have to throw money at the poverty problem.

Others say that poor people need the government's support to help them get out of the vicious circle of poverty, unemployment and crime. What do you think? Would more benefits make a difference? Do we already use too much money helping the poor?

Your reaction in full

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©