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New plans to reduce the number of children living in poverty

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has yesterday launched new plans to reduce the number of children living in poverty in Wales.

The 2015 Child Poverty Strategy for Wales, which has been revised following a public consultation, sets out how the Welsh Government intends to address current levels of poverty in Wales and improve the lives of children from low income families.

The strategy includes two new key objectives:

  • To use all available levers to create a strong economy and labour market in Wales which reduces in-work poverty.
  • To help families increase their household income through effective debt and financial advice and take action to address the poverty premium, where low income households currently pay more for goods and services.

The Minister will launch the strategy at Gwenfro Community Primary School in Wrexham. Speaking ahead of the event, the Minister said:

“I am proud to launch this strategy which sets out our commitment to do all we can to help children and families out of poverty.

“Although undeniably challenging, reaffirming our ambition to eradicate child poverty by 2020, shows we have not lost focus on tackling the issue head on and ensures there will be no loss of momentum towards our goals.

“The 2015 Child Poverty Strategy for Wales sends a loud and clear message - tackling child poverty is a key priority for the Welsh Government.”

Although levels of poverty in Wales remain stubbornly high, important progress in key areas has been made. The number of children living in workless households has been decreasing since 2009, while the number of young people aged 16-18 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) has also fallen.

The Welsh Government’s key tackling poverty programmes are also improving the economic, education and health outcomes of people living in low income households.

In 2014/15 alone, 32,500 of Wales’ most disadvantaged children benefitted from Flying Start and Communities First has helped nearly 1,800 people enter employment, while just over 15,000 have had advice on debt and benefits.

In addition, there are over 200 Families First projects currently operating across Wales, providing early support to families living in poverty to improve skills, develop aspiration and improve levels of household income.

Fran Targett, Director of Citizens Advice Cymru, said:

“The Tackling Poverty External Advisory Group have examined the issue of child poverty as part of its work. We support the Welsh Government’s ambitious vision for 2020 to achieve a Wales where no child or young person is disadvantaged by poverty and its commitment to measure progress against its stated objectives.

“We are, however, aware that strategies alone do not achieve improved outcomes and it will be important to continue to monitor that the objectives in the Strategy are delivered and to work hard to make a real difference for children in Wales.”

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Channel website: http://gov.wales

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