Views sought on tackling child poverty in Wales

The Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010, which became law in February, places a duty on Welsh ministers to publish a strategy to reduce child poverty, and to keep its progress under review.

The Welsh Assembly is seeking views on the Child Poverty Strategy and Delivery Plan before the consultation closes on 12 August.

The plan lists the three strategic objectives for the Child Poverty Strategy as: reducing the number of families living in workless households; improving the skill level of parents and young people in low-income families so that they can secure well-paid employment; and reducing inequalities in health, education and economic outcomes.

The plan pledges to maintain a focus on early years investment, 'backed by the evidence that this is the most effective chance of long-term success in transforming the life chances of children from low-income families.'

During the consultation period, workshops will be held with stakeholders and children and young people in association with Children in Wales, Save the Children, the Welsh Local Government Association and the End Child Poverty Network, to establish how local delivery models can be shaped.

Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, said, 'We were the first of the UK countries to introduce new legislation to add weight to our action to tackle child poverty. The Children and Families Measure provides an important new statutory framework, including new duties to develop strategies to reduce child poverty across public agencies in Wales.'

Further information http://wales.gov.uk/consultations