Welsh Government
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Minister launches joint agreement to tackle child poverty
The joint agreement sets out the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to reducing child poverty and outlines ways in which other organisations can make their own contributions.
It supports the proposed Children and Families Measure which was laid before the National Assembly on March 2nd. If passed, it will place a duty on specific Welsh public bodies to identify and take action to assist in the goal of eradicating child poverty by 2020.
The agreement will allow public agencies in Wales, who will not be affected by the legislation, to sign up to demonstrate that they too are prepared to work with the Assembly Government to tackle child poverty.
The Minister joined representatives from organisations from across Wales at Tonyrefail School to see a project that provides sporting opportunities to all children and to sign the agreement. The following organisations signed the agreement today:
- One Voice Wales
- Welsh Local Government Association
- Wales Council for Voluntary Action
- NHS Confederation
- Save the Children
- Sports Council for Wales
- Greenhouse
- Chief Fire Officers Association
Speaking at the launch, the Minister said:
Tackling child poverty and strengthening support to those families in greatest need is at the top of the Welsh Assembly Government’s priorities. I am delighted that the eight organisations here today have led the way by becoming the first in Wales to sign up to the joint agreement and make a commitment to helping us eradicate child poverty and improve the life chances of the most vulnerable children and families. I hope that others will sign up in the future.
Poverty affects children’s lives in a multitude of different ways and therefore the solution is also multi-faceted. It will require a commitment from organisations across Wales to ensure that all children and young people get a chance to fully participate in community life. No one organisation can achieve this alone.
The Assembly Government recognises its responsibility to do what it can and also its role in providing the strategic framework for action. I would urge all public and voluntary sector organisations to join us and make a commitment to the children of Wales that we add more impetus to our efforts to reduce the effects of poverty and disadvantage on their lives.
Professor Laura McAllister, Sports Council for Wales Vice Chair, said:
The Sports Council for Wales is eager to contribute to the One Wales commitment to tackle child poverty. Our cross-cutting policies champion areas of deprivation within Wales and we have seen how sport can improve the lives of young people, particularly those who are socially disadvantaged.
As well as providing opportunities to take part in sport and physical recreation projects, the Sports Council plays a crucial role when it comes to developing leadership and coaching skills within Wales’ communities – an area which we feel is vital in the Welsh Assembly Government’s social justice agenda.
Related Links
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/childpoverty/?lang=en
