Eluned Morgan MS, Prif Weinidog, Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip and Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language
The Welsh Government has welcomed participation in the Four Nations Ministerial Group informing the UK Child Poverty Strategy. We have used those opportunities to call for positive changes in social security policy to tackle child poverty, particularly seeking a commitment to end the two child benefit rule.
As the work of the UK Spending Review comes towards a conclusion, the work of the Ministerial Group becomes even more important. The long tail of austerity has left a legacy of difficulties for many children across the UK. Unless action is taken, child poverty is set to rise by a further 100,000 children in each year of this UK parliamentary term.
Fortunately, answers are at hand. Government Ministers met recently with Welsh members of the organisation, Patriotic Millionaires. While discussions were wide ranging, the focus on tackling poverty was especially useful.
The proposals of Patriotic Millionaires are echoed in a paper published last week by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. It, too, demonstrates where significant funding could be raised to tackle poverty, without in any way raising taxes on working families. The investment repays itself many times over in making the lives of children better and more productive.
In that context, successive Welsh Governments have taken action which leaves money in the pockets of Welsh citizens, especially where that releases funds to respond to the needs of children. From the most inclusive scheme of childcare for three and four year olds anywhere in the UK, through to the help provided with the cost of the school day, in every year of a child’s education, sustaining and expanding Flying Start for children in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales, to the most generous scheme of student support, we are helping to tackle poverty. From the roll-out of free school meals for all primary school children, uplifts to the Education Maintenance Allowance, our Claim What’s Yours initiative, Welsh Benefits Charter, which has been signed up to 22 Local Authorities to boost take-up of Welsh benefits, the Welsh Governments has used its devolved powers to advance the case of tackling child poverty.
We once again urge the Chancellor to explore actively the range of options for raising revenue to ensure that funds are used where the greatest difference can be made – in the lives of our children.