OXFAM CYMRU BLUEPRINT REVEALS EXTENT OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY IN WALES

New calculations by Oxfam Cymru reveal 16% of the Welsh population have as much wealth as everyone else put together – demonstrating the extent of economic inequality in Wales.  

The new statistic appears in the charity’s new paper, ‘Even it up: A Blueprint for Change’ released today (13 January). It offers clear recommendations for the next Welsh Government on how to tackle economic inequality and poverty, based on Oxfam Cymru’s experiences of working with communities in Wales. 

The extent of low pay in Wales has remained unchanged for a decade and earnings in many local authority areas in Wales are well below the UK average. Meanwhile the gap between the richest and poorest continues to grow. 

“Low pay and poverty remain critical problems in Wales,” said Carys Mair Thomas, Head of Oxfam Cymru. “Almost a quarter of Welsh households live in relative poverty and half of those have one salary coming in, which means low pay is trapping people in a cycle of poverty. Certainly, a job in today’s Wales is no longer the celebrated lifeline of generations past.” 

“It’s crucial that the next Welsh Government tackles low pay and poverty as a top priority. Oxfam Cymru recommends creating a position within the new government that will be dedicated to ensuring every department is working to meet these challenges.” 

Oxfam Cymru’s ‘Blueprint for Change’ calls for a Deputy Minister role to be created within the Welsh Government’s Finance Department, who will have responsibility for tackling poverty, reducing economic inequality and raising living standards in Wales, ensuring a co-ordinated and effective response across government.

“Ensuring Welsh workers are paid the Living Wage could also go some way to tackle this problem,” said Ms Thomas. “Currently one in four Welsh workers, the majority of whom are women, earn less than the £8.25 per hour as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.”

Oxfam Cymru’s Blueprint for Change calls on the incoming Welsh Government to make Wales a ‘Living Wage Nation’ by ensuring all public bodies pay the Living Wage and using levers such as procurement and grant funding to incentivise employers to provide decent work, including payment of the Living Wage. 

The paper also highlights Wales’ role in the world and how it can respond to issues like tackling climate change and responding to the refugee crisis.

Ms Thomas said, “It’s vital that Wales plays its role in helping the poorest across the world.  That means resettling our fair share of refugees, and providing help and support for people fleeing unimaginable terror.  And we must work to reduce our carbon emissions – global warming is causing devastation in some of our planet’s poorest communities, and we need to be aware of our impact in causing this devastating climate change.”