Big Way Of Life

The Welsh Assembly Government has launched a consultation surrounding new legal duties requiring public bodies in the region to combat child poverty.

The Child Poverty Act 2010 and The Children and Families (Wales) Measure Act, which became law in February, require all public bodies including councils to set clear objectives to tackle child poverty.

The Welsh Assembly Government wants these targets to focus on reducing unemployment, improve training and education for parents and young people on low incomes and cutting inequality in health and education.

The consultation asks for views on these objectives and on the Welsh Assembly Government delivery plan, which outlines details on areas such as funding, which will be targeted at the most vulnerable families and communities.

Views are also being sought on ways to improve partnerships across councils and health, which the Assembly sees as crucial to tackling poverty.

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: "We recognise the crucial importance of work for parents as the most sustainable route out of poverty.

"There is also a need to combat rising levels of poverty in families where there is someone in work through better training and quality jobs and, of course, the need to reduce the gap between the outcomes of our poorest children and their more affluent peers."

The consultation ends on 12 August.