The Welsh Conservatives have criticised Labour for its lack of progress in addressing poverty in Wales. According to the recent ‘Poverty in Wales’ report, over 1 in 5 people in Wales (22%)—approximately 700,000 individuals—are living in poverty. This includes 400,000 working-age adults (21%), 200,000 children (31%), and 100,000 pensioners (16%).
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Dr Altaf Hussain MS, said:
"Labour has been in power in Wales for 26 years, yet there has been little progress in reducing poverty, with rates remaining stubbornly high.
“This is not a new issue. Wales has faced rising child poverty for over two decades, often recording the highest levels in the UK.
"The Welsh Conservatives would cut taxes for working families and replicate England’s childcare offer here in Wales. This would enable parents to return to work while putting more money in people’s pockets, because as Conservatives, we know that empowering people through work is the best way to reduce poverty."
