Why do the poor make bad decisions? Really? This is a disingenuous question. When choices are to be made, the poor have far fewer boxes to tick. Often, none of those boxes is ideal. The poor and crime? Again disingenuous. I have never been temped to commit a crime, but then I have never been in a situation when committing a crime would be regarded as a serious option. If my wife or one of my children required medical help that was only available for more cash than I could access, then I would not hesitate to commit a crime. Education, job opportunities, housing, leisure activities available to the poor are not remotely like those available to families who have security, support and reliable income. I don’t know the answer, but I DO know that the wrong questions are being asked, and until such time as the problems are truly recognised, no answer is likely to be of use.