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The Work and Pensions Secretary admitted the goal was ambitious and that there was still much to do.

But he told an End Child Poverty Coalition event that the Government's integrated approach was already making progress.

For example, he said, 600,000 children had been lifted out of poverty in the last eight years.

Families with children were better off, he added, while the poorest fifth in society had on average seen their income rise by £3200 per year.

He told the coalition - from the voluntary, private and public sectors:

"Our target to eradicate child poverty by 2020 is ambitious and there is no denying that there is much more to be done. That's why I wanted to get out and discuss this important issue in my first few weeks in the job."

• End Child Poverty Coalition Opens new window

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• Money information for parents (parents section)