Wales' First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth will use today's National Economic Council meeting in Glasgow to press Prime Minister Andy Burnham on child poverty, economic powers and the devolution of justice. In an article setting out his case, ap Iorwerth said Westminster must not stand in the way of the Welsh Government's ability to tackle child poverty, which he called "a stain on our society."
Child poverty and the case for welfare devolution
Ap Iorwerth noted that for the last twenty years, around 200,000 children aged 0-19 have lived in poverty in Wales. He said failed child poverty strategies by previous administrations have been compounded by UK Government policies such as the two-child benefit cap and sustained cuts to welfare support. While the nature of poverty has changed significantly, it remains prevalent to varying degrees in nearly every postcode across Wales.
The First Minister highlighted his government's flagship childcare policy, underpinned by the principle of universalism. The offer provides 20 hours a week for all children aged 9 months to 4 years old, available 48 weeks a year and worth more than £30,000 in childcare costs in the first four years of a child's life. He said this will be delivered by the end of this Senedd term, with tackling poverty among its core purposes.
Ap Iorwerth also pointed to the Welsh Government's Cynnal child payment pilot, which offers £10 a week to the families most in need and learns lessons from Scotland's success. He argued that to avoid families being taxed on this payment, the UK Treasury must guarantee an exemption, a change that would enable the Welsh Government to press ahead with the policy. He welcomed the Secretary of State for Wales placing on record that discussions between Welsh and UK Governments on this matter are progressing, but said "we need to see warm words turn into action. Wales is tired of waiting."
Economic partnership and fair funding
The First Minister said social justice and economic justice are inextricably linked, and that people cannot be lifted out of poverty without greater control over the economy. He said he has yet to hear a compelling case why Wales should not be afforded the same financial flexibilities as Scotland. He will call on the Prime Minister to work with him on a new Growth Partnership between the Welsh and UK Governments.
Ap Iorwerth said such a partnership would help spread prosperity to all parts of Wales, end duplication and complexity in existing cooperation such as Growth Deals and City Deals, and ensure the current devolution settlement is respected. He cited opportunities in floating offshore wind, the future of Welsh steelmaking and digital industries as representing potential for jobs, investment and growth. Treating Wales as an equal partner, he said, could help pursue the ambition of halving the productivity gap with the rest of the UK.
Justice and policing devolution
On justice, ap Iorwerth noted that Wales has powers over education, health, housing and social services, yet policing and justice remain largely reserved to Westminster. He said justice cannot be fully served while the UK Government controls policing and the criminal justice system, adding that the Prime Minister, as former Mayor of Manchester, knows that a one-size-fits-all approach imposed by Whitehall does not work.
The First Minister said the upcoming Police Reform Bill presents an opportunity to reach agreement on policing devolution and the wider devolution of justice. He highlighted that Wales has the highest incarceration rate anywhere in western Europe, that it costs £60,000 to hold one prisoner for one year in England and Wales, and that one in four go on to reoffend. He also cited new figures showing that 37% of deaths of former prisoners on probation in Wales were drug related.
Ap Iorwerth described the current system as "nonsensical and unsustainable," creating a chasm between devolved and reserved areas where accountability evaporates. He also said this week's Budget was "all but silent" on Wales, with little action to honour the commitment of £14bn of rail funding for Wales. He concluded that time will tell whether the Prime Minister can match Wales's ambitions, or whether his devolution drive will stall at Offa's Dyke.
