PLAID Cymru has taken inspiration from Scotland in pledging to launch a “transformational” payment to tackle child poverty if it leads the next Welsh government.
Party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said his party would “draw on the experience in Scotland” and “begin the process of implementing a child payment in Wales”.
If implemented, the weekly direct benefit would support those “who need it the most”.
The Scottish Child Payment is a weekly payment of £26.70 that eligible families are entitled to for every child who is under 16. It is one of five family payments Scots can get from Social Security Scotland.
Ap Iorwerth told The National back in 2023 he would like to see an equivalent launched in Wales, where a third of children live in poverty.
It was confirmed last month the Scottish benefit has issued payments worth more than £1 billion since it launched in February 2021.
Speaking at Plaid’s spring conference in Llandudno on Friday, Ap Iorwerth said child poverty “remains a national stain” with children “not even afforded the decency of good health and the bare essentials”.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Recent polling has suggested that Plaid, Labour and Reform are neck and neck.
It will also be the first Welsh Parliamentary election using a new, more proportional voting system, which will see the Senedd expand from 60 to 96 members.
The Plaid leader also used his wide-ranging speech to warn people to “beware” of Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Nigel Farage.
He said: “As Trump and Musk and Farage and their followers seek to profit from the currency of fear and hate, we too must show courage.
“We must be united and determined in exposing these morally bankrupt millionaires and billionaires who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
“Trump believes in Trump. Musk believes in Musk. Farage believes in Farage. Beware these men whose only real ideology is their ego.”
He accused Reform of having “no plan, no vision” and said the party was “so unserious about winning they don’t even have a leader in Wales”.
Ap Iorwerth also used his speech to attack Labour, saying the party’s failings “feed Reform’s fearmongering”.
“We’re here to offer hope – a fresh start and an end to Labour-led rule in Wales after 26 years,” he said.
