Pembrokeshire’s Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate has stated that families most in need across the county would benefit from ‘transformational’ weekly direct child benefit payments. The policy could be key to addressing the 30.8% of children living in poverty in Pembrokeshire - the party has stated.

One in three of our children are growing up in poverty, and current projections show that by 2029 Wales will have the highest incidence of child poverty of any UK region or nation.

Plaid has announced it will deliver a ‘Cynnal’ payment to sustain families and support communities, which would be a weekly direct benefit to support those who need it the most, mirroring Scotland’s successful child payment.

Analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed that Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty rates are projected to fall by 2029 – a direct result of the Scottish Child Payment.

Pembrokeshire’s Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate Anna Nicholl said: “In the last few weeks, we have had some great conversations with residents in Tenby, Solva, St David’s, Milford Haven, Goodwick and Fishguard.

“We have heard directly from families who could benefit from the Cynnal child payment, that a Plaid government would begin to implement immediately after the election in Wales.

“The policy could be key to addressing the 30.8% of children living in poverty in Pembrokeshire. We’ve seen from the success of Plaid Cymru’s free primary school free meals, how much these measures truly help families with the current costs of living.”

Leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth added that only Plaid Cymru is showing the political courage to finally give our children the fair start to life they all deserve: “I was very proud to see Plaid Cymru announce a policy that will truly be effective to get to grips with the scourge of child poverty on our communities.”