Coronavirus-related Poverty

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:41 pm on 1 December 2020.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 1:41, 1 December 2020

Thank you. Well, Citizens Advice Cymru research, 'Facing the cliff edge: Protecting people in Wales from the financial consequences of Covid-19', in May, stated that, 

'The Welsh Government must be proactive in encouraging people to check what benefits or support they are entitled to...This should include benefits and support schemes administered in Wales, such as the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the Discretionary Assistance Fund.' 

The Bevan Foundation's September report, 'Reducing the impact of Coronavirus on Poverty in Wales', stated that the Welsh Government should undertake a large-scale benefits take-up campaign to ensure people are accessing the benefits they're entitled to, including UK social security benefits, as well as schemes operated by the Welsh Government and local authorities, such as the council tax reduction scheme, free school meals and the discretionary assistance fund, and establish a single point of access for free school meals, pupil development grant and council tax reduction scheme. What specific consequent action has the Welsh Government taken?