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The Welsh Assembly Government website contains up to date information, links and resorces regarding government action on child poverty in Wales. Click here to review their information on the Child Poverty Strategy consultation, the Children & Familes (Wales) Measure, find out more about the Child Trust Fund Cymru, Child Poverty Milestones and Targets, current policy context and the Families First Pioneer Areas.
The Welsh Assembly Government is driving forward a cross cutting agenda for improving the lives of children and young people, based on partnership working and implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. All policies and programmes for children and young people should contribute to the seven core aims that summarise these rights. Core aim 7 specifically states that we must ensure children and young people in Wales are not disadvantaged by poverty.
WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM HUW LEWIS ; Deputy Minister for Children : Update on the Child Poverty Strategy and Delivery Plan for Wales (2010)
WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM HUW LEWIS ; Deputy Misister for Children : Update on the Child Poverty Expert Group (2010)
WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM Dr BRIAN GIBBONS ; as Minister for Social Justice and Local Government : Update on Child Poverty (2009)
WRITTEN CABINET STATEMENT FROM Dr BRIAN GIBBONS ; as Minister for Social Justice and Local Government : Update on Child Poverty (2008)
Other written and oral statements are available by completing the search criteria here.
The UK Government’s targets to halve child poverty by 2010/11 on the way to eradication by 2020 remain and the Assembly Government has re-affirmed - through the 'One Wales' agreement - its commitment to the targets. Evidence shows that progress has been made in Wales in recent years with poverty rates for children down to below the UK average for the first time, although latest figures for 2010 show that progress on tackling child poverty has now stalled in Wales (HBAI).
Tackling child poverty in all its forms is complex and cross-cutting. It requires strong partnership working across the public and private sectors. Whilst a substantial number of the key levers are reserved to the Westminster Government there is much that can be done in Wales by the Assembly Government and its key partners to help achieve the shared child poverty objectives and make a significant contribution to improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged children.
Welsh Assembly Government policy in this area has been shaped in recent years by the report of the independent Child Poverty Task Group in June 2004; the Child Poverty Strategy, ‘A Fair Future for our Children’, published in February 2005 and by the proposals set out in the Child Poverty Implementation Plan, published in May 2006. Using a Written Statement published on 20 February 2008 the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government confirmed that Ministers were aware of the need to continue to build on the impetus of efforts in Wales and that future Assembly Government action will focus on three strands:
- Strand 1 - Improving life opportunities for disadvantaged children;
- Strand 2 - Financial inclusion initiatives; and
- Strand 3 - Encouraging greater uptake of the UK Government tax and benefits support"
Most recently the Welsh Assembly Government has affirmed it's commitment to ending child poverty by the introduction of the Children & Families (Wales) Measure 2010 and the subsequent publication of the draft Child Poverty Strategy & Delivery Plan for Wales, which is currently undergoing consultation.
Child Poverty Work at the UK Level
Here the Department for Work and Pensions has published information on the UK Government response to child poverty including information on the new Child Poverty Act 2010 and the Equality Act 2010. Also see the Every Child Matters website.