4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on how he will measure success in reducing poverty? OAQ(5)0131(EI)

We monitor progress across a range of indicators, including the relative income measure of poverty, and indicators for employment, for education, skills, and also for health. These reflect the cross-cutting nature of our approach to prosperity for all.

In principle, I support the Cabinet Secretary leading in this area, and using economic development and improving infrastructure to reduce poverty. However, the shift in policy and the abolition of Communities First has caused concern on his own benches. Is he sure the new approach will support the poorest in our society?

Yes, I am. It’s proven that the best way to prevent people from falling into poverty, and the best way to assist people in getting out of poverty, is through securing them quality, sustainable work. And, for that reason, I think it is important that I lead on the prosperity for all agenda. That said, there are a number of factors that can affect individuals who are not in work, or who have experienced significant periods of their life out of work. And, for that reason, I’m working with Cabinet colleagues in health, in communities, in finance, in education, to ensure that we address those challenges together, and that, as part of four cross-cutting strategies that we are developing, the Government remains focused on ensuring that we leave nobody behind in our attempt to create maximum employment.

Cabinet Secretary, for my question today I’d like to ask you about how you will assess the role of the foundational economy in reducing poverty. For example, do you agree that jobs created in the foundational sector could mark one measure of success in reducing poverty? In addition, will you join with me in congratulating Welsh Hills Bakery, in my constituency, for their success in winning the overseas trade award in the Welsh Business Awards?

I’d very much like to congratulate the company in my colleague’s constituency. Welsh Hills Bakery is a remarkable success story. I believe I visited the company back in the autumn of last year, for their sixtieth anniversary celebrations.

And I do believe that the foundation economy will play an increasingly important role in offering all individuals accessibility to the workplace, and indeed opportunities to acquire skills that will enable them to progress through to better careers that are well paid. The foundation economy, of course, can benefit all communities, right across Wales, and for that reason I’m looking very closely at it as part of the wider, broader, prosperous and secure strategy for Wales.

Cabinet Secretary, helping people into employment is a key measure of success in reducing poverty. I very much welcome, therefore, the Welsh Government u-turn on scrapping the youth bus discount scheme. Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm that any new scheme has the necessary support to ensure that it is a long-term success, so that our young people, particularly from our deprived communities in south-east Wales, can access training, job opportunities or further education? Thank you.

Can I thank the Member for his question, and say that, in spite of the longest period of severe austerity that our country has faced—and which the Member and his party have been cheerleaders of—we have actually reduced the poverty rate in Wales by 2 per cent since 1998-99? In terms of the mytravelpass scheme, I was pleased to be able to extend that whilst we consult on what I intend to be a broader and better scheme for young people.

I think we have to do all we can to remove the barriers that exist, preventing people from accessing work and training opportunities. Some of those barriers include the acquisition or the lack of availability of skills training, the lack of affordable and accessible childcare, and the lack of reliable and affordable public transport. In terms of how we are dealing with these barriers, the mytravelpass is very important for young people, and, through implementing a broader and better scheme, I hope to create a better offer. In terms of childcare, we are developing the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the United Kingdom. And in terms of giving people better opportunities to acquire the skills that they need to get a life in work, we are rolling out, not just an employability plan, but a very ambitious all-age apprenticeship scheme that will provide at least 100,000 opportunities to the people of Wales.