Hutton: jobs are key to ending poverty

from IC Wales

WORK and Pensions Secretary John Hutton yesterday rejected the argument that child poverty can only be eradicated by rises in benefit payments, and gave his blessing to Rhodri Morgan's key election pledge.

Mr Morgan says ending child poverty by 2020 will be the major theme of his third-term administration if he remains First Minister after next May's election.

But Plaid Cymru's shadow justice minister Leanne Wood expressed doubts about the policy, saying, "Until the Assembly has power over the benefit and tax system, any Assembly Government of whatever colour will find it difficult to tackle child poverty. It is the tax and benefit system which is the main tool to do this."

Mr Hutton, who was in Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil visiting projects that have helped economically inactive people back into work, strongly disagreed, saying, "I think the Welsh Assembly Government has got it right. The best and most sustainable way of getting people out of poverty, for lone parents and others in Wales, is to get work.

"And I think with tax credits, designed to provide additional help when you get into work, that is the right way to try to square the circle.