Only 1 out of 14 cost-of-living recommendations delivered on by Welsh Gov

ONLY one of the Labour Welsh Government’s fourteen recommendations to tackle the Cost of Living crisis have been delivered, research from Plaid Cymru has revealed.
Late last year, the Welsh Government formed a group of 18 experts to advise the Government on the impact of the Cost of Living crisis on the people of Wales, alongside actions that should be taken to mitigate the impact of the crisis in Wales.

However, research from Plaid Cymru reveals that most are yet to be taken forward and a lack of clarity and commitment on others is crippling families across Wales.

In so far only implementing one recommendation at best – a number of the remaining thirteen recommendations have not yet even been explored, and Ministers have since confirmed that others will not be implemented at all, ignoring expert advice.

Almost half of households in Wales are in fuel poverty, and a third of children in Wales are living in relative poverty despite targets to eradicate child poverty by 2020 scrapped eight years ago.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Social Justice, Sioned Williams MS said:

“Months after their own expert group made fourteen short term, urgent calls, the Labour government have failed to implement almost any of the recommendations designed to help those facing the brunt of the spiralling cost of living.

“Plaid Cymru have consistently called on this Government to listen to experts and implement a child payment policy, speed up delivery of warm homes programme and to extend Free School Meals to all secondary school children from households who are in receipt of Universal Credit. When it comes to alleviating poverty, we know these policies work and make a real difference to families who can’t afford even the basics.

“In light of stubbornly high levels of child poverty and a continuing Cost of Living Crisis pushing more and more families below the breadline – this Labour Government must face up to the challenge and take those brave, bold and radical decisions to truly help those who truly need it.

“The answers are here. The political will is not. Plaid Cymru urge Labour to use all levers and powers available to them to reduce burden of cost of living crisis on households across Wales. The children of Wales cannot afford to wait any longer for real action.”