Latest news with #SteffanEvans
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh constituencies with highest levels of child poverty
The study by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition reveals that 36 per cent of children in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, and 35 per cent of children in Newport East are living in poverty after housing costs are considered. The new data show the constituencies with the highest levels of child poverty in Wales as Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, followed by Rhondda and Ogmore, and Newport East. The list also includes Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, Aberafan Maesteg, and Clwyd North, Cardiff South and Penarth and Swansea West all of which have a 34 per cent of children living in poverty. Elsewhere, figures show that 33 per cent of children Ceredigion Preseli and Mid and South Pembrokeshire live in poverty. The research also highlights that 31 per cent of all children in Wales are living in poverty. Only two of the 35 Welsh parliamentary constituencies have fewer than 25 per cent of children living in poverty. Nationally, child poverty affects every community in Wales. This can mean children lacking food, warm clothing, and living in unsafe housing. The End Child Poverty Coalition, representing over 135 UK organisations, has raised concerns and called upon the government to address these figures. Rachel Walters, the End Child Poverty Coalition manager, said: "No child in the Wales or beyond should have to experience poverty. "These figures should demonstrate to government just how important it is to quickly address this so to prevent another generation of children from growing up in low-income families. "The government's strategy to tackle child poverty must invest in children in areas with higher levels of poverty. "As a first step the government must scrap the two-child limit to benefit payments, a policy which continues to pull children into poverty every day." The research identifies a correlation between the two-child limit and child poverty across Wales. It also emphasises the potential for devolved policy measures to lower child poverty rates. The introduction of the Scottish Child Payment has reportedly reduced poverty levels in Scotland. Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy (poverty) at the Bevan Foundation, said: "Whilst many of the key levers to tackle child poverty still remain at Westminster, this latest analysis highlights just how important a role the Welsh Government has to play in support children and their families. "The Welsh Government have taken many welcome steps over recent years to address child poverty such as the introduction of universal free school meals in primary schools and in updating the education maintenance allowance to make sure it's fit for purpose. "The latest analysis highlights that there is a need for all political parties to be bolder in their commitments to end child poverty as attention turns to the Senedd election next year."
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welfare cuts could impact three times as many Welsh households
Welfare cuts could impact three times as many Welsh households The Bevan Foundation says the number of households affected by UK Government cuts to Universal Credit and disability benefit may soar The levels of poverty people in Wales are living in could increase dramatically as a result of the UK Government's planned changes to welfare reform (Image: South Wales Echo ) The levels of poverty people in Wales are living in could increase dramatically as a result of the UK Government's planned changes to welfare payments, a think tank has said. In March, the UK Government announced changes to disability benefits and Universal Credit. There have been repeated concerns about the impact of the proposal, and questions about how it will impact Wales. A report today by thinktank the Bevan Foundation says the number of households affected could more than treble, from 24.5% to 78.4%. Part of the government proposals included measures to get people back to work, with those taken into account, the think tank say it is likely that household affected by the reforms will still be more than twice as likely to be living in poverty once the reforms are fully rolled out than is currently the case. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The report, by data experts Policy in Practice, found some households set to be over £900 a month worse off Earlier this month, Policy in Practice, said nearly 190,000 people will be affected by the changes to benefits. The Bevan Foundation's Head of Policy (Poverty) Dr Steffan Evans said: "These new findings make for incredibly grim reading. It is clear, that without a rethink, UK Government's proposed reforms to the benefits system will have a particularly severe impact on poverty in Wales, making life harder for thousands of disabled people. "The results highlight just how important the benefits system is in reducing poverty. Whilst the UK Government is right to take action to support disabled people back into work, work can only ever form part of the answer. Article continues below "It is vital that the UK Government maintains a strong safety net to ensure people can access the support they need." Deven Ghelani from Policy in Practice, said: "This research lays bare the sharp rise in hardship many disabled people in Wales could soon face. Local authorities need to prepare for the increase in poverty these reforms will trigger, "The data also shows they are not powerless. "By using insights like these, councils can target support, plan services more effectively, and advocate for the resources their communities will urgently need." The UK Government has failed to give any figures for how its welfare changes will impact Wales despite repeated questions and requests for data. There is acceptance that Wales has a high level of people who claim benefits and WalesOnline asked the Department of Work and Pensions, the Treasury and Wales Office on the day of the Spring Statement how many people would be affected in Wales. None of them could answer. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, speaks during a press conference in the briefing room at Downing Street following the announcement of the Spring Statement (Image: Getty Images ) When WalesOnline interviewed the chancellor on her visit to Wales the day after the Spring Statement, she said it was "not usual" to give figures for Wales, but they were looking at the request. You can see her comment here. The Welsh Government was not able to provide figures either. Despite subsequent requests, no-one has been able to answer. It led to a row between the two Labour administrations in Wales and London, you can catch up on that here. Eluned Morgan has said she is "really worried" about how the changes might impact people. Article continues below Wales' health minister Jeremy Miles also said it was not a decision the Welsh Government would have made and said the decision was "wrong". His comments were part of a wider interview.
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Report finds benefit reform could increase poverty in Wales
According to research carried out by Policy in Practice in conjunction with the Bevan Foundation, the UK Government's planned changes to disability benefits and Universal Credit could lead to a more than threefold increase in poverty rates among affected Welsh households—from 24.5 per cent up to 78.4 per cent. In March, the UK Government announced reforms to disability benefits and Universal Credit, leading to widespread concerns about the potential increase in poverty levels. The Policy in Practice report projected that these changes could affect nearly 190,000 people in Wales, or 6.1 per cent of the population, with a loss to the Welsh economy of around £470 million. It has now been found that these changes could dramatically increase the levels of poverty among the affected households in Wales. According to the same report, more disabled people are also set to fall into poverty as a result of these changes. Even though the government's efforts to get more disabled people into work may lessen the impact of the cuts, the study suggests that affected households will still be more than twice as likely to be living in poverty compared to the current rates. Commenting on the findings, Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy (poverty) at the Bevan Foundation, said: "These new findings make for incredibly grim reading. "It is clear that, without a rethink, the UK Government's proposed reforms to the benefits system will have a particularly severe impact on poverty in Wales, making life harder for thousands of disabled people." Deven Ghelani, director and founder of Policy in Practice, urged local authorities to prepare for the rising levels of poverty. He said: "This research lays bare the sharp rise in hardship many disabled people in Wales could soon face. "Local authorities need to prepare for the increase in poverty these reforms will trigger, but the data also shows they are not powerless. "By using insights like these, councils can target support."
