3. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to reduce child poverty in Montgomeryshire? OQ58470

Thank you for that question. The key levers for tackling child poverty—they are powers over the tax and welfare system—sit with the UK Government, and we will continue to do all we can with the powers that we have to tackle inequalities and improve outcomes for all children in Wales so they can fulfil their potential.

Thank you for your answer, Minister. My question is very much about the powers that are within your responsibility. Minister, you will recognise, of course, that my own constituency of Montgomeryshire is a predominantly rural area. Your Flying Start programme has been in operation for many years to support households in areas of deprivation. Unfortunately, it can't be accessed in many parts of rural areas and there continues to be that element of a postcode lottery. Do you recognise, Minister, that often there is an area that is not classed as an area of deprivation, but within that area there are pockets of depravation? They are very often in those rural parts of Wales. Can I ask you, in regard to the additional funding you announced last week, I think, how you intend this to focus particularly on the issues that I've outlined? How are you going to ensure that rural local authorities in Wales, particularly Powys, get their fair share of funding to support those particular communities?

Thank you for those very important questions. The way we try to tackle poverty with our powers is about universal approaches, such as the free schools meals to all pupils, which will help many of those who are on that brink of being disadvantaged or finding it hard at this present financial time. Just to say, in Powys County Council, this actually now includes an additional 1,067 learners universally getting that offer. It's going to widen, of course.

But on your point about Flying Start, the roll-out of the phase 1 expansion of Flying Start began in September. In Powys, this does equate to around 60 more children under four eligible for the programme, and 15 children aged two to three will be eligible for the childcare element. I think, also importantly, that there are other access grants, like the pupil development access grant. Actually, the total of that, alongside the early years pupil development grant for 2023, was £3,148,700.

Good afternoon, Minister. There is, as we know, a significant rise in foodbanks across mid and west Wales, and in Montgomeryshire, and I thank Russell George for raising this very important issue within Montgomeryshire. It is an absolute disgrace, and I would agree with Sioned Williams in this regard. Having spoken to a foodbank in Montgomeryshire recently, they were clear that there were two challenges they face this autumn and winter, given the cost-of-living crisis. One is that they are receiving fewer donations and the other, sadly, is an increased demand. Over the school holidays, a local fish and chip shop in Newtown started providing free meals to children, because families simply didn't have enough money to feed themselves when free school dinners stopped for the summer. I know that you will agree with me that it is a disgrace that, in the world's fifth largest economy, families are struggling to survive. And I'm sure that you'll agree that the Conservative Party has a lot to answer for in this regard, so I really do hope, Russell, that you will take this further within your party, because we do need your support. Focusing on what the Welsh Government can do, could you just outline how you would continue to support community groups, foodbanks, and small independent businesses, like the ones I've spoken to in Montgomeryshire, that are trying to do their best to shield young families from the excesses of the cost-of-living crisis? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch yn fawr, Jane Dodds. I think it is important that we see this now as all-Wales—rural, urban, and not just the most deprived, but all families experiencing poverty and disadvantage. It does go back to this huge question of where this £45 billion for tax cuts, which are going to benefit the most wealthy, is going to come from, because if it comes from public services or welfare benefits, this is just going to deepen and deepen.

But just to say, in terms of tackling food poverty, I did announce another £1 million yesterday, but it builds on £3.9 million already allocated this year, and it's actually by working with local authorities, as you know, to develop and strengthen food partnerships. It's very good to hear about businesses getting involved; they want to get involved, some of them, in our warm hubs initiative that the First Minister announced a couple of days ago. You might have heard on Radio 4, on the food programme at the weekend, about Big Bocs Bwyd and the fact that this is also spreading throughout Wales where schools are involved with community food organisations as well. But we're actually saying in my statement that we want to help social supermarkets, community cafes, lunch clubs, cookery classes; we're also talking about making sure that people can have access to things like slow burners. People are actually already not being able to feed their meters, so we have got our Fuel Bank Foundation partnership as well. But I do think—and the Deputy Minister for Social Services is here as well—that all the work that we're doing with the early years and the roll-out of the £100 million is going to make such a difference in terms of reaching out to those younger people and babies. But you know, baby milk, hot water bottles—I mean, this is the day and age we're living in with foodbanks in Wales.