AM's fears for worsening child poverty
CONCERNS about poverty affecting children in Port Talbot have been raised with the First Minister by Aberavon AM David Rees.
In the Senedd this week, Mr Rees stressed long-term programmes were needed to support deprived communities.
It follows research by the Campaign to End Child Poverty which revealed that 25 per cent of children in Neath Port Talbot were living in poverty.
The figure was the fourth highest in Wales, along with Caerphilly, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taff.
The poorest ward in Neath Port Talbot in relation to children was said to be Briton Ferry West, where 51 per cent of children were living in poverty.
"Addressing poverty and inequality among children and young people is crucial to giving them the opportunities they deserve to make the most of their lives," said Mr Rees.
"Poverty — absolute or relative — diminishes people.
"In many cases it can take away your pride and worst of all it can take away your hope.
"And don't think for a moment that a child in a poorer household doesn't absorb what is going on around them."
Mr Rees said he feared some areas could get even worse in years to come.
He said: "The context of severe cuts to youth services, high unemployment, increasing child poverty across the UK as well as approximately 30,000 Welsh claimants set to be pushed out of the benefits system altogether there is a very real danger that, over the coming years, our most vulnerable communities will find themselves even more marginalised, isolated and deprived.
"What we need are long-term programmes, such as Communities First, which help communities and families build a viable and sustainable route out of poverty."
Mr Rees also made specific reference to childcare costs as an important factor in helping people combat poverty and get back into work.
"Much of the current dialogue surrounding poverty focuses on getting people back to work," he said.
"However, childcare costs can be incredibly restrictive when people are trying to work and, as such, are preventing some people from escaping the poverty trap."
Mr Rees has raised the issue of poverty several times in the Senedd since being elected and acts as the chair of the Cross Party Group on Industrial Communities.
The main focus of it is to work towards improving economic and social conditions in industrial communities in today's Wales.
gill.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk
3 Comments
by BobEvans2011
Sunday, January 29 2012, 9:35AM
“THere is no real poverty in Neath. Yes some people are poorer than others and some people prefer to spend their money on Sky, Cars, Booze & fags, mobile phones etc
The focus needs to bee on dealing with bad parents that is the real problem.
It is interesting to note that Wales has some of the highest levels of obesity in the UK that hardly stacks up with poverty
Sure there will be a handfull of children that may be in poverty but it is not a large number.”
by Russellm2010
Saturday, January 28 2012, 5:18PM
“Id like to see some money spent on grit bins in Skewen”
by twj1943
Saturday, January 28 2012, 4:21PM
“Mr. David Rees what about Neath ever since the amalgamation of Neath and Port Talbot it appears as if Neath has fallen off the map, when we ask for any thing in Neath such as a grit bin for Brookfield and other area's we are told that there is no money, of course not it's all being spent in Port Talbot”