Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth has lamented the Welsh Labour Government for failing time and time again to take action in combatting child poverty.

In First Minister’s Questions this week, the Plaid Cymru AM highlighted the unacceptable situation where 29% of children in Wales live in poverty, and criticised the Labour Welsh Government for failing to tackle the problem.

Mr ap Iorwerth said:

“A series of Governments here have been missing their targets on tackling child poverty since the inception of devolution and it’s natural that people will ask how effective Welsh Governments have been over that 20 years, and Labour has led each of those Governments. This First Minister is the fourth Labour First Minister.

“In a few weeks’ time, this Assembly will discuss a motion signed by Members of many parties, including the party of Government, calling for a strategy to tackle poverty with a budget and specific action points. Isn’t it scandalous, after 20 years of Labour Government, that we are still in a situation where one feels that we need to have such a strategy?

“Backbench Members are eager to take action. The Assembly is eager to take action, but it’s the Welsh Labour Government that has failed time and time again, just as they have failed to resolve the problems of the health service.”