AM SLAMS TORY PLANS TO SCRAP ANTI POVERTY SCHEMES
Christine Chapman AM for Cynon Valley has slammed Tory plans to scrap successful Welsh Assembly Government policies aimed at tackling poverty in Wales´ least well off areas. (5th February 2010)
During a debate on child poverty at the Assembly on Wednesday (3 February) the Conservative Party called for an end to area-based anti-poverty measures such as Communities First, Flying Start and Want 2 Work.
The Welsh Assembly Government´s Communities First programme and Flying Start target funding at some of the most disadvantaged areas in Wales including Penywaun, Glenboi and Perthcelyn.
Local Assembly Member Christine Chapman said :
“The Tories just don’t get it. They have no idea about child poverty or the impact it has upon communities here in Cynon Valley.
“The Welsh Assembly Government has invested millions of pounds to help tackle the record levels of poverty forced upon Wales by the last Conservative government.
“I challenge the local Conservatives to be honest with local people and say now which community first partnership, which flying start project they will cut."
Children’s Minister, Huw Lewis AM, added :
“Tackling child poverty is a priority for the Welsh Assembly Government.
“It was our commitment to eradicate this blight that has resulted in many thousands of children in Wales being lifted out of poverty.
“We have made great progress but there is still a great deal of work left for us to do. All this would be put at risk by the Conservatives.
“The Tories may want to sound like they care but if you scratch beneath the surface you can see they haven’t changed a bit.”
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
• “We must therefore move from an area-based approach to a child-centred approach, and we will support the Liberal Democrats’ amendment 2 accordingly.”
Mark Isherwood AM, Conservative Shadow Social Justice Minister. Record of Proceedings, 3 February 2010.
The Welsh Assembly Government´s Communities First programme and Flying Start target funding at some of the most disadvantaged areas in Wales including Penywaun, Glenboi and Perthcelyn.
Local Assembly Member Christine Chapman said :
“The Tories just don’t get it. They have no idea about child poverty or the impact it has upon communities here in Cynon Valley.
“The Welsh Assembly Government has invested millions of pounds to help tackle the record levels of poverty forced upon Wales by the last Conservative government.
“I challenge the local Conservatives to be honest with local people and say now which community first partnership, which flying start project they will cut."
Children’s Minister, Huw Lewis AM, added :
“Tackling child poverty is a priority for the Welsh Assembly Government.
“It was our commitment to eradicate this blight that has resulted in many thousands of children in Wales being lifted out of poverty.
“We have made great progress but there is still a great deal of work left for us to do. All this would be put at risk by the Conservatives.
“The Tories may want to sound like they care but if you scratch beneath the surface you can see they haven’t changed a bit.”
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
• “We must therefore move from an area-based approach to a child-centred approach, and we will support the Liberal Democrats’ amendment 2 accordingly.”
Mark Isherwood AM, Conservative Shadow Social Justice Minister. Record of Proceedings, 3 February 2010.
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