Child poverty and devolution

1
Child poverty and devolution

• The Welsh take

2
Convergence or divergence

• A bit of both convergence on objectives, though
  Wales did not embrace UK targets until 2005, some
  divergence on means.
• Rooted in political/ideological distance from UK
  New Labour Morgans clear red water
• Welsh Labour sees itself asprogressive
  universalist (universalism with a selective
  top-up!)
• Rhetorical divergence increased since 2007

3
Progressive universalism?

• Press UK government for greater use of economic
  levers (benefit levels, job creation etc.) and
  dovetail effort.
• Made in Wales add-ons (regeneration, Communities
  First, Cymorth, A Fair Future for our Children
  (incl. Flying Start and Foundation Phase),
  Improving life opportunities for disadvantaged
  children, financial inclusion initiatives, take
  up of financial support, duty on public bodies.
  Vulnerable children LCO

4
Policy communities

• Relatively weak
• Interest groups relatively strong
• WAG influenced by SCF, End Poverty Now network,
  Childrens Commissioner
• In context of LCO, WAG appointed an expert group
  to keep it honest
• Children Monitor

5
Policy innovation

• Financial inclusion enhanced support of credit
  unions etc.
• Duty on public bodies enshrined in a Measure
• Communities First
• Foundation Phase
• Children Monitor
• progressive universalism, rational
  incrementalism or winging it?