The National Assembly for Wales’s Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee has expressed serious concerns about the lack of progress in reducing poverty in Wales, despite the Welsh Government’s long-term commitment and investment in the issue.
The Committee believes that this is mainly due to the Government trying to treat the symptoms of poverty rather than tackling the root causes.
Changes to the labour market mean that work is no longer a straightforward route out of poverty. The Committee has recommended that, as half of people in poverty live in working households, the Welsh Government should use its influence on the low-skilled end of the labour market to improve the quality of life for people experiencing in-work poverty.
Christine Chapman AM Chair of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee said:
"We are deeply concerned by the number of people in Wales who are affected by poverty. We have made some significant recommendations to the Welsh Government about the need to make a commitment to meeting every person’s minimum human needs; food, shelter and warmth.
"The Committee believes that the Welsh Government should be more accountable for poverty reduction in Wales, and that it needs to listen to people’s experiences of poverty and form policy based on what works best for individuals, taking into account different needs, characteristics and circumstances. One of our recommendations involves establishing a Welsh Poverty Reduction Alliance to bring together key stakeholders to develop innovative poverty reduction solutions."
The Committee has published its report (PDF, 807KB) and summary of conclusions and recommendations (PDF, 364KB) on Poverty in Wales: Poverty and Inequality.