The Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee is undertaking an inquiry into poverty in Wales. The inquiry will be divided into four strands, each focusing on one particular issue. Each strand will be self-contained, with its own terms of reference, but taken together will form an overarching piece of work. The Committee is currently working on Strand 1 of the inquiry.
In June 2015, the National Assembly for Wales Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee published Inquiry into Poverty in Wales: Poverty and Inequality.
Findings include that more than one in five people live in poverty in Wales. Since the early 2000s, the level of poverty in Wales has been static, and Wales is currently behind only London (28%) and on par with the West Midlands, with 23% of the population living in poverty.
The report recommends ‘that the Welsh Government establishes a Welsh Poverty Reduction Alliance, which draws together Ministers and officials (including local government), with the third, private and academic sectors. It should also include representation from people living in poverty. This group should form the basis of innovative policy development, implementation and on-going scrutiny of poverty levels in Wales.
