The Wales Green Party call for protection of schools and urgent investment to reduce child poverty, in response to the 2014-15 progress report on the Welsh Government’s “Building a Brighter Future” plan.
Deputy Leader, Anthony Slaughter said: “While welcoming any achievements and aspirations that improve the lives of our younger people, Wales Green Party find the Welsh Government claims of a bright future for Welsh children both irresponsible and misleading. Closer study of the situation in Wales reveals a depressing picture of cutbacks within the Welsh Education system with dozens of schools closing or threatened with closure. Rural schools, often the backbone of a community, are particularly vulnerable with almost 70 being closed between 2009 and 2014. How is the wellbeing of our children improved by expecting them to travel huge distances for their education, often in areas poorly served by public transport?
In order to properly invest in our children's futures we must protect small schools as they are crucial to community resilience, health and wellbeing.”
A report last month revealed that 23% of people in Wales are living in poverty, and that the Welsh Government is failing to tackle deprivation. Slaughter continued: “It is also impossible to present any report into the health and wellbeing of young people in isolation from the stubbornly high rates of child poverty in Wales. With one in five Welsh children living in poverty it is crucial that we see real investment and a coherent strategy across all departments to ensure a fair and healthy future for all our children.”