Meetings

NDM6723 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the recent increase in child poverty.

2. Notes research for Save the Children Cymru which found that: “By age five around a third of children living in poverty (30-35 percent) were already falling behind across a range of cognitive outcomes (i.e. vocabulary, problem solving, dexterity and coordination) compared with a fifth of those from better-off families (20-21 per cent)".

3. Believes that responsibility for the increase in child poverty and for tackling child poverty, resides with both the UK Government and Welsh Government.

4. Regrets that the Welsh Government has ended the Communities First programme without an evaluation of its effectiveness or a plan for its replacement.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure equal access to high quality early childhood education and care for all children in Wales with a specific focus on providing additional support to all children living in poverty, as recommended by Save the Children Cymru.

6. Further calls on the Welsh Government to take all steps within its powers to tackle child poverty as part of a new plan for eliminating child poverty that includes SMART targets rather than vague statements.

7. Believes that such a plan can only succeed with the administrative control of social security and that securing these powers should be a major strategic objective of the new plan.

Save the Children Cymru – Little Pieces, Big Picture – Harnessing Early Childhood Education and Care to make sure no child in Wales is left behind

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that child poverty levels in Wales stand above the UK level with rates rising before the last recession.

2. Notes research for Save the Children Cymru which found that: “By age five around a third of children living in poverty (30-35 per cent) were already falling behind across a range of cognitive outcomes (i.e. vocabulary, problem solving, dexterity and coordination) compared with a fifth of those from better-off families (20-21 per cent)".

3. Recognises that although UK Government policy in reserved areas also applies in Wales, the Welsh Government has responsibility for promoting prosperity and tackling poverty programmes, including Communities First, in Wales since 1999.

4. Notes the importance of access to high-quality early childhood education and care for children in Wales and the need for targeted support for children living in poverty.

5. Further calls on the Welsh Government to take all steps within its powers to tackle child poverty as part of a new plan for eliminating child poverty that includes SMART targets rather than vague statements.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Believes that responsibility for tackling child poverty resides with both the UK Government and Welsh Government.

2. Notes with concern latest EHRC analysis which shows that UK Government tax and welfare reforms will push an extra 50,000 children into poverty by 2021/22.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government focus on employment as the best route out of poverty and the ambitious actions set out in the Economic Action Plan and Employability Plan.

4. Welcomes the continued investment in Flying Start, Families First, the Pupil Development Grant and the Healthy Child Wales Programme to ensure every child has the best start in life.

5. Believes that the welfare needs of all UK citizens should be equally met and that the devolution of welfare benefits does not support this principle.

EHRC Research

Economic Action Plan

Employability Plan

The item started at 17.28

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6723 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the recent increase in child poverty.

2. Notes research for Save the Children Cymru which found that: “By age five around a third of children living in poverty (30-35 percent) were already falling behind across a range of cognitive outcomes (i.e. vocabulary, problem solving, dexterity and coordination) compared with a fifth of those from better-off families (20-21 per cent)".

3. Believes that responsibility for the increase in child poverty and for tackling child poverty, resides with both the UK Government and Welsh Government.

4. Regrets that the Welsh Government has ended the Communities First programme without an evaluation of its effectiveness or a plan for its replacement.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure equal access to high quality early childhood education and care for all children in Wales with a specific focus on providing additional support to all children living in poverty, as recommended by Save the Children Cymru.

6. Further calls on the Welsh Government to take all steps within its powers to tackle child poverty as part of a new plan for eliminating child poverty that includes SMART targets rather than vague statements.

7. Believes that such a plan can only succeed with the administrative control of social security and that securing these powers should be a major strategic objective of the new plan.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	44	54

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that child poverty levels in Wales stand above the UK level with rates rising before the last recession.

2. Notes research for Save the Children Cymru which found that: “By age five around a third of children living in poverty (30-35 per cent) were already falling behind across a range of cognitive outcomes (i.e. vocabulary, problem solving, dexterity and coordination) compared with a fifth of those from better-off families (20-21 per cent)".

3. Recognises that although UK Government policy in reserved areas also applies in Wales, the Welsh Government has responsibility for promoting prosperity and tackling poverty programmes, including Communities First, in Wales since 1999.

4. Notes the importance of access to high-quality early childhood education and care for children in Wales and the need for targeted support for children living in poverty.

5. Further calls on the Welsh Government to take all steps within its powers to tackle child poverty as part of a new plan for eliminating child poverty that includes SMART targets rather than vague statements.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	0	37	54

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Believes that responsibility for tackling child poverty resides with both the UK Government and Welsh Government.

2. Notes with concern latest EHRC analysis which shows that UK Government tax and welfare reforms will push an extra 50,000 children into poverty by 2021/22.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government focus on employment as the best route out of poverty and the ambitious actions set out in the Economic Action Plan and Employability Plan.

4. Welcomes the continued investment in Flying Start, Families First, the Pupil Development Grant and the Healthy Child Wales Programme to ensure every child has the best start in life.

5. Believes that the welfare needs of all UK citizens should be equally met and that the devolution of welfare benefits does not support this principle.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
33	1	20	54

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6723 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that responsibility for tackling child poverty resides with both the UK Government and Welsh Government.

2. Notes with concern latest EHRC analysis which shows that UK Government tax and welfare reforms will push an extra 50,000 children into poverty by 2021/22.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government focus on employment as the best route out of poverty and the ambitious actions set out in the Economic Action Plan and Employability Plan.

4. Welcomes the continued investment in Flying Start, Families First, the Pupil Development Grant and the Healthy Child Wales Programme to ensure every child has the best start in life.

5. Believes that the welfare needs of all UK citizens should be equally met and that the devolution of welfare benefits does not support this principle.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
34	0	20	54

The motion as amended was agreed.