As there are differing definitions of poverty then it is very subjective and could easily be used to reflect what a political leader wished to reflect.
I`ll hand you over to the BBC Fact Check for the answers.
The prime minister has made four claims on poverty, do the figures support them?
www.bbc.co.uk
Relative poverty had increased.
Relative poverty: This is calculated by taking the median or middle income in the country - that is the level at which half the people earn less and half more.
Absolute poverty had declined.
Absolute poverty: This uses the same 60% calculation as above, but it applies it to the median income of a fixed year - 2010-11.
And the questions to establish "poverty" have also changed.
It is certainly not black and white enough to say he lied, misled at worse which is different. ;-)