WIREDGOV

The Welsh Government is investing more than £20 million over the next two years to support Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff’s most deprived communities, the Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty Vaughan Gething highlighted yesterday (Mon 31th March).

Speaking at a special event looking at efforts to address poverty in South  Wales, he will outline the number of initiatives in place to help the most vulnerable and improve their life chances.

The investment includes the Welsh Government’s flagship programme to help those living in the poorest areas of Wales, Communities First. It works to improve health, prosperity and encourages access to education and learning.  Communities First in Merthyr Tydfil will receive £1.9 million, while Rhondda Cynon Taff will get £5 million.

This policy works alongside ‘Families First’ which is aimed at improving the way agencies work together and places a clear emphasis on early intervention for families, particularly those living in poverty, to help stop problems from escalating towards crisis. Merthyr Tydfil is to receive £1,170,000 for Families First, while Rhondda Cynon Taff £3.8 million.

Both areas will also benefit from the expansion of Flying Start that supports children have the right start in life. It provides eligible parents free quality childcare for children under the age of four, parenting support, an enhanced health visitor service and help with their children’s early language development.

Merthyr Tydfil will to receive £1.9 million for Flying Start, with Rhondda Cynon Taff to get £6.3 million for 2014/15. The latest figures show that 792 children received Flying Start services in Merthyr Tydfil in in 2012 -13, while the figure for Rhondda Cynon Taff is 2,542.

The Deputy Minister will be speaking at the University of Glamorgan at an event which will bring together those delivering these policies to communities.

Speaking before the event, Vaughan Gething said:

“The Welsh Government is facing unprecedented cuts. By 2015 -16 our budget will be nearly £1.7 billion less than it was in 2010 – 11. Despite this, we are determined to invest in our most deprived communities to help improve health, education and life chances.

“That is why we have a multi-million pound investment support package in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff. We are committed to helping people have a better chance of finding work and supporting parents facing the reality of managing on tight budget. We know that the UK Government’s welfare reform agenda is hitting hard with less help for hardworking parents as cuts to tax credits, cuts in help with childcare costs and the bedroom tax really bite.

“The Welsh Government’s approach is based on a different set of values and priorities. We know that to make the biggest possible difference to people’s lives all of us across the public and voluntary sector need to work together much more effectively. This event is an important opportunity to bring together key partners with a central role to play in our efforts to tackle poverty.”