POVERTY campaigners took to the main stage at the Plaid Cymru spring conference in Newport at the weekend in a sparsely populated hall.

Bevan Foundation director Steffan Evans said: “We all know the statistics in Wales of one in three children living in poverty, and that has not changed for 20 years.

“Over the last 30 years, children have had to live in deeper poverty, but there is nothing inevitable about poverty in Wales. 

“Many of the key levers to address child poverty are reserved for Westminster, but there are things that the next Welsh government can do to make a difference to people’s lives in Wales.”

Plaid’s social justice spokeswoman Sioned Williams said: “We would like to see welfare devolved so we can design it properly.

“Tackling cold, draughty houses will put money into family pockets, as will the child payment pilot where we are targeting 15,000 children.”