Multi-million pound support package for Merthyr and Rhondda’s most deprived communities
1 Apr 2014 02:25 PM
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.”