MORE than a fifth of the Welsh population live in poverty, according to a damning report published today, met with dismay by campaigners.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) report showed that in 2020-23, nearly half a million people in Wales lived in deep poverty, defined as below 50 per cent of the median household income, with 310,000 in very deep poverty, living below 40 per cent.
“The analysis is a stark reminder that poverty is far too common in Wales today,” said the Bevan Foundation’s Dr Victoria Winckler. “That is bad enough, but half the people in poverty are in deep poverty, facing a massive shortfall in the income they need to afford essentials.”
The report also revealed a significant gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas of Wales, with women in the latter living longer by 6.3 years and men by 7.5.
Thirty-two per cent of disabled people live in poverty, the report found, with 37 per cent of disabled working-age adults in poverty, nearly double the rate for the non-disabled.
The JRF pointed to the effects on poverty levels of changes to the eligibility for Personal Independence Payments, and changes to the eligibility and rates of health-related elements of universal credit.
”This Labour government should be appalled and ashamed of this record,” said Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams. “They have overseen not only a complete lack of movement on poverty, but also deepening of the poverty crisis in Wales.
”Plaid Cymru’s direct child payment will support families out of poverty and help stop the vicious cycle of poverty in Wales over which Labour has presided.”
Ms Williams asked First Minister Eluned Morgan what commitments she had sought from her Labour colleagues in the Westminster government not to deepen poverty further in Wales.
She added: “The welfare system does need reform, and we’ll continue to raise concerns with the UK government.”
A Welsh government spokesperson said: “Our commitment is backed by a substantial investment of nearly £7 billion between 2022-2026 to reduce costs and maximise incomes for Welsh families.
“We will continue to call for positive changes in social security policy to tackle child poverty, particularly seeking a commitment to end the two-child benefit rule.”
