Hutt: Poverty focus

Ending child poverty is a key aim for ministers in Cardiff, Jane Hutt has said.

Speaking at a conference in Brussels on Tuesday, the Welsh health minister pledged that ending "the scourge of children living in poverty" was a cross-departmental priority.

She said attempts to deal with the issue would not "fit neatly into any ministerial portfolio".

"It has implications for all areas including education, social services, leisure and housing," said Hutt.

"That is why in Wales we are working as a Cabinet to tackle this issue."

She said the Welsh Assembly Government was "committed to playing its part in the international drive against child poverty".

Programmes covering areas such as economic and community regeneration, as well as health, education and housing policies will all be used to address the issue.

Lack of respect

A task group report on ending child poverty had been well received when undergoing a public consultation, the minister added.

"In line with our commitment to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, from the outset I felt that children and young people needed to be included in formulating our policies," Hutt continued.

"I was therefore very pleased that the task group carried out a consultation specifically with children and young people.

"The voices of children came across very strongly with compelling messages.

"They made it clear that poverty isn't just about money, they can also face bullying, stigma and a lack of respect," she added.