8. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to reduce child poverty in South Wales Central? OQ59231

I thank Heledd Fychan. Llywydd, we are working with our partners, including local authorities, the third sector and those with lived experience to support vulnerable households. Direct help with the cost of the school day, universal free school meals in primary schools and measures to tackle holiday hunger are amongst the practical steps being taken across Wales.

Thank you, First Minister, unfortunately, however, as we all know, levels of child poverty in Wales are getting worse, and it's clear from visits throughout my region, together with my casework, that the situation is critical for many families. Teachers tell me consistently that they're increasingly having to spend time supporting pupils and their families in terms of responding to the cost-of-living crisis, providing clothes for learners, setting up foodbanks or food pantries in schools, and also raising money so that learners have essentials in their homes, such as a fridge. They're also increasingly having to support learners who suffer from poor mental health because there are problems in terms of accessing services such as CAMHS. They are not complaining about doing that as teachers; they see it as an important part of supporting learners to reach their full potential. But they are complaining that their budgets are under pressure, that their workloads are increasing, that the salaries of classroom assistants are particularly low, meaning that some have to rely on foodbanks, and that the role that teachers and classroom assistants play in terms of responding to the increase in child poverty is not being recognised. Therefore, could I ask how the Welsh Government wants to work with our schools to reduce child poverty and to ensure that they have the resources to play their role in ensuring the best for our children and young people?

Well, Llywydd, of course I acknowledge the difficult context that Heledd Fychan has set out and, unfortunately, that will only get worse over the next month. At the beginning of April, the cost of energy will increase and there will be freezes in the area of income tax, which will have an impact on household income across Wales, and many people will face increased mortgage costs too. So, the impact in the classroom is going to be very great indeed. As I explained, we are doing a number of things under the co-operation agreement in order to assist families and to assist in classrooms too, and the Minister for education has been in discussion with the education unions over recent weeks to discuss with them what we can do together to help people working with children—both teachers and others—in order to provide more time to do the work that they're there to do, by providing more general assistance to them. So, in collaboration with the unions, and through the programme that we have agreed with Plaid Cymru, practical steps are being taken to assist people in a context that is very difficult for families and those working in the sector too.

Thank you, First Minister.