<p>Poverty Among Young Women</p>

Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:59 pm on 3 October 2017.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 1:59, 3 October 2017

First Minister, the child poverty action group has identified very early on that the way that universal credit is structured poses a real risk to the financial autonomy of women in the household. It actually undermines their ability to be autonomous and to have financial independence.

We now know from Citizens Advice Cymru that some people in the pilot areas, some women, are giving up work due to childcare issues, as a direct result of the design and the roll-out of universal credit as it is. And we now know, of course, this week, according to the Government’s own figures, that over 80 per cent—over 80 per cent—of recipients of universal credit that is being rolled out are now falling into rent arears. The Government’s own pilot areas are showing that it is an unmitigated disaster and it is driving young women, but also all people, into poverty. Could I ask the First Minister what further representations he can make to the UK Government? Because the impact in all of our communities is going to be significant.