Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales on the adequacy of the level of funding for tackling poverty in Wales.

Work is the best route out of poverty. Since 2010 there are 667,000 fewer children living in workless households – a near record low. Employment is at a record high, unemployment is at its lowest rate since the 1970s, and wages have outstripped inflation for a year.

As a result of UK Government decisions at Budget, the Welsh Government benefited from a £550 million funding boost. This includes over £25 million resulting from a 5% uplift in Barnett consequentials as agreed in the Welsh Government’s Fiscal Framework. It is for the Welsh Government to decide how to spend this funding according to its priorities.