PLAID CYMRU has accused Labour of prioritising the “management” of child poverty over taking meaningful action to eradicate it, following a parliamentary vote against key proposals.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for social justice, condemned the Labour Welsh Government and Labour backbenchers for rejecting calls to introduce a direct child payment and set a statutory target to eliminate child poverty in Wales.
Currently, 32% of children in Wales live in poverty, a figure projected by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to rise to 34% by 2029 – the highest rate in three decades.
Ms Williams highlighted Labour’s previous failures on the issue, noting that in 2016 the Welsh Government abandoned its target to eradicate child poverty by 2020. She also criticised the party for not challenging the UK Government’s controversial two-child cap, which affects 11% of children in Wales.
In contrast, Scotland has taken decisive steps to reduce child poverty. The Scottish Government has introduced a Scottish Child Payment and committed to neutralising the impact of the two-child limit from March 2026 – measures expected to reduce child poverty in the nation.
“A Plaid Cymru government would take inspiration from Scotland to support families with a transformative direct child payment aimed at tackling rising child poverty in Wales,” Ms Williams said.
Commenting after the vote, she added:
“Child poverty is a political choice. In voting against Plaid Cymru’s policy calls proven most effective to tackle child poverty – the Labour Welsh Government have once again chosen to manage child poverty in Wales rather than tackling it.
“This isn’t a government standing up for the most vulnerable in our communities, nor delivering on any previous ambitions to lift children out of poverty. Labour have made excuses for their lack of action instead of finding a way to deliver – meanwhile the Scottish government have just got on with the job and found a way to lift children out of poverty.
“This debate was a chance for Labour to heed our calls for a child payment and to re-commit to statutory measurable targets, for the sake of the increasing number of children going without basic necessities each day. Their lack of ambition for Wales and our young people is disappointing.
“Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru have already announced that if in government, we’d take the bold actions needed to give children the best start in life through a direct child payment to support families.
“It’s no wonder more and more people are turning to Plaid Cymru – a party with real, credible plans which will be transformative for our communities. Wales needs a positive change, which only Plaid Cymru can deliver.”
