Jane Dodds has questioned the Welsh Government about its efforts to cut child poverty.

The Mid and West Wales MS said at the Senedd that the latest childhood poverty statistics for Wales paint a disheartening picture of stagnation.

She said 29 per cent of children now live in relative poverty, representing 190,000 children.

Ms Dodds said: “The Bevan Foundation's recent 'State of Wales' report laid bare the harsh reality that children remain the demographic at the highest risk of poverty, with those from households without full adult employment, as well as those in rented homes, facing even greater risk of deprivation.

“We cannot be complacent about these figures, nor accept the lack of progress.

“Behind these numbers lie the lived experiences of children who are literally suffering.

“These figures show the urgent need for measurable, clear targets to reduce child poverty.

“I'm very disappointed to hear that these won't be with us until 2025 because it does take time, then, for us to have those targets in place.”

Ms Dodds asked Social Justice Secretary, Lesley Griffiths, to commit urgently to creating clear and quantifiable targets for reducing child poverty.

Ms Griffiths said the Government is developing a framework of indicators and measures of child poverty.

She said: “A policy progress report and evidence from those with lived experience of poverty will also be provided at the next progress reporting point in 2025.”