Welsh councils pioneer child poverty reduction
13 January 2009
Excellent examples of local authority progress in eradicating child poverty - one of Wales’ biggest problems are on public display today (Tuesday, January 13th) thanks to an innovative all-Wales project which unites national and local government and the voluntary sector in a fight to win the same battle.
‘Child Poverty Solutions Wales’ is an online toolkit which offers support and advice services to councils and their partners ranging from a self assessment toolkit for monitoring success in tackling child poverty to guidance in developing statutory children and young people plans. The project is developed by the WLGA, Save the Children in Wales and is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
During 2008, two pilot local authorities (Rhondda Cynon Taf and Gwynedd) were selected to pilot ‘Child Poverty Solutions Wales’ by identifying two local projects that were relevant to reducing child poverty in their local areas.
Today, at a ministerial event held in Cardiff Bay with all the key partners involved Rhondda Cynon Taf, which has a large number of Communities First areas, is demonstrating its progress in building employability skills for teenagers across the County Borough. Likewise Gwynedd council is showcasing its success in taking forward a financial literacy project which was launched last September in partnership with a local comprehensive and credit union.
Speaking at today’s event at the Senedd, Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, said: “Tackling child poverty is at the very top of our agenda for this third Assembly Government term. It is fundamental to the future prosperity of Wales and to the health and well being of its people. Reducing child poverty is an issue of social justice and we remain committed to ensuring that we use all the tools at our disposal to eradicate the blight of poverty from the lives of children and young people across Wales’.
“Local authorities and their partners are at the forefront of our shared aim of reducing child poverty and improving the life chances of our most disadvantaged children and young people. By working in partnership across the public sector in Wales I am confident that we can make further progress on this important issue’
“This project will not only help local authorities to understand their role but also measure how they are progressing in tackling child poverty, learn from each other and determine what further action they need to take. I hope that local authorities across Wales will use this website and learn from the work of the pilot sites to develop policies that will make a real difference to the lives of our most disadvantaged children and young people.”
Cllr Meryl Gravell MBE), WLGA Social services spokesperson said: “Tackling child poverty is a key priority for every council in Wales and this project shows local authorities’ seriousness and commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for the most vulnerable children and young people across their communities. Furthermore, it is an example of real partnership working at its best with all partners working towards the same goal in delivering responsive services for those people who need them most.”
Eleri Thomas, Head of Save the Children in Wales said: "Poverty scars the lives of too many children in Wales. Save the Children believes that local government and their partners are key to helping the UK and Welsh Assembly Government meet the child poverty target of eradicating child poverty by 2020.
“Child Poverty Solutions Wales is a bilingual toolkit and the first of its kind in Wales which will help local councils and their partners to meet the challenges of tackling child poverty locally.”
For further information visit: www.childpovertysolutions.org.uk
Ends
Notes to editors
RCT Pilot project
The aim of this project is to prepare and support young people to enter the world of work and compete effectively in the labour market. It will provide tailored job search training and support in two school cluster areas. The project also aims to engage employers within the public, private and voluntary sectors to improve work based training opportunities for young people in the RCT area.
Gwynedd Pilot Project
This new flagship scheme aims to ensure that children and young people in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area are not disadvantaged by financial poverty. The scheme is run in partnership with the “Y Llechen Cyf” Credit Union will allows secondary school pupils at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Ysgol y Moelwyn to learn more about how to deal with money, and how to open and manage their own savings account. Potentially 200 pupils could be part of the saving scheme, and if successful, the Credit Union will promote and implement this scheme in other secondary schools within Gwynedd
For further information contact:
Save the Children (Press): Eurgain Haf - Tel: 029 20 803 265 or e-mail: E.Haf@savethechildren.org.uk
Welsh Assembly Government (Press): Adam Butcher- Tel: 029 2089 8203 or e-mail: Adam.Butcher@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
Gwynedd Council: Carwyn Meredydd (Communications Officer) – Tel 01286 679 503 or e-mail CarwynMeredydd@gwynedd.gov.uk
Rhondda Cynon Taf: Cerys Bowler (Press Officer) - Tel: 01443 424040 or e-mail: cerys.bowler@rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk