Heledd Fychan Canol De Cymru - South Wales Central

Plaid Cymru announced ‘transformational’ child payment during party conference

South Wales Central Member of the Senedd Heledd Fychan has welcomed an announcement that a Plaid Cymru government would begin implementing a child payment in Wales. This could be key to address the 30.5% of children living in poverty in Rhondda Cynon Taf, 29.4% in Cardiff and 23.9% in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The policy was announced during the leader’s speech in Plaid Cymru’s Spring Conference in Llandudno. Mr ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru said that a Plaid Cymru government would begin the process of implementing the payment to “sustain families and support communities”.

Addressing delegates in Llandudno, Mr ap Iorwerth said “we cannot continue to fail the very people on whose futures we depend for a brighter tomorrow”, and criticised both Labour and the Conservatives for rising levels of poverty in Wales.

“Plaid Cymru’s ‘Cynnal’ payment would be a weekly direct benefit to support those who need it the most.”

The announcement follows analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which revealed 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.

In Wales, child poverty is projected to increase from 32.3% as of January 2025 to 34.4% by January 2029.

Mr ap Iorwerth continued,

“Drawing on the experience in Scotland and learning from its transformational benefits, I can announce today that a Plaid Cymru Government will begin the process of implementing a child payment in Wales – a weekly direct benefit to support those who need it the most.

“After 14 years of austerity under the Tories and 26 years of ambivalence under Labour – this would be a new government rooted in the values of fairness and social justice.

“The ‘Cynnal’ payment as it’ll be known will do exactly that - it will sustain families and support communities.

“Those in receipt will feel less anxious about making ends meet – becoming more productive in the long run.

“Children go on to be healthier and more economically active, and the money will be re-invested in local economies, where people buy the bulk of their essential goods and services.

“Conference, doing nothing is not an option.”

Heledd Fychan Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales Central said:

“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.

“It’s a national shame that child poverty is so high in Wales, with 30.5% of children in Rhondda Cynon Taf, 29.4% in Cardiff and 23.9% in the Vale of Glamorgan already living in poverty.

“After 26 years of inaction by Labour in Wales, and 14 years of austerity under the Tories – now continued by the UK Labour government – only Plaid Cymru is showing the political courage to finally give our children the