CHILDREN’S rights campaigners united today in condemning the Welsh government’s latest child poverty strategy.

The strategy was introduced by Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt, who told the Senedd that it has five objectives including the creation of pathways out of poverty and reducing costs for families and maximising their incomes.

Children’s Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes co-ordinated the statement by 14 organisations, which said that they had seen first-hand the devastating effect living in poverty has on children in Wales.

The groups include Save the Children, the Child Poverty Action Group and Barnado’s.

“As children’s rights organisations, we are deeply disappointed that ministers have not listened to our calls for a robust action plan with measurable targets,” it said.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, the children’s commissioner was scathing about a lack of measurable targets in the strategy.

“Until then, we will not be able to determine whether public money being spent in Wales is reaching those children whose lives are being so severely affected,” Ms Cifuentes said.

In response, Ms Hutt said that targets were difficult to set as the main economic levers were held by the British government.

Nonetheless, Ms Cifuentes insisted that a standalone strategy needed targets.

The Bevan Foundation in Wales welcomed the strategy’s commitment to establish a Welsh benefits system but also expressed disappointment at the lack of targets.

Dr Steffan Evans of the foundation said: “There is a lack of detail on how the strategy will be delivered.”

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Sioned Williams said: “After 25 years in power in Wales, it’s hard to accept the narrative that tackling child poverty is an absolute priority for the Labour government.”