[Plaid Cymru] Wales’ poverty rates reflective of “crisis”

New report from the Living Wage Foundation reveals more than a quarter of workers in Wales experience work insecurity

Poverty rates in Wales reflect a crisis that needs immediate addressing, Plaid Cymru has warned.

Plaid Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to put in measures to prevent low income, unstable employment in Wales, including by ensuring the Living Wage is implemented across both the public and private sector.

The Living Wage Foundation published a report in July 2021 that highlights that 26% of workers in Wales are in insecure work.

Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Economy, Luke Fletcher MS noted that the pandemic has highlighted the “multiple, far reaching risks and consequences of poverty and insecure work”.

Mr Fletcher added that no one should be facing a “constant fear” of being unable to make ends meet.

Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Economy, Luke Fletcher MS said, 

“This report makes clear what we already knew – Wales’ poverty rates are reflective of a crisis that needs addressing immediately.

“Multiple, far reaching risks and consequences of poverty and insecure work have been highlighted more than ever by the pandemic. It has to be a point of change, the Welsh Government must put in measures to prevent huge proportions of people in Wales relying on low income, unstable employment. 

“The Welsh Government has to ensure both the public and private sector implement a proper Living Wage. Everyone in Wales should be receiving the Living Wage as a minimum so they’re in fact able to live off of their salaries, and aren’t facing a constant fear of being unable to make ends meet.”