London Labour policies impact on Child Poverty in Wales
4 Chwefror 2009
Plaid’s spokesperson on Child Poverty, Bethan Jenkins AM, will today (04 February) argue that ‘bewildering and regressive’ UK government policies are having a negative impact on efforts to tackle Child Poverty in Wales.
Ahead of the debate on an Assembly committee report on Child Poverty, Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins said:
“The One Wales government has taken many positive to alleviate child poverty and is continuing to do so. However, while fiscal and welfare powers remain in the hands of London Ministers, any Welsh efforts to tackle the problem are being undermined by London Labour policies.
“I am bewildered by the actions of the London Labour government. They claim to be trying to tackle child poverty. Yet recent welfare reform legislation, including the policy of threatening lone parents with benefit cuts, seem regressive to say the least. I was also dismayed by the decision of the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, to ditch initiatives to expand flexible working hours. These initiatives would have helped lone parents into work and help them to balance their work and parental responsibilities.”
