Child Poverty High in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent, New Report Finds

Wales has the highest rate of child poverty in the UK, averaging 31% of children in relative poverty after housing costs between 2021/22 and 2023/24. This compares with 30% in England, 24% in Northern Ireland and 23% in Scotland. Across the UK as a whole, the figure stands at 31%, affecting around 4.5 million children.  

Our Impact of Child Poverty in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent report identifies groups most at risk. In Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent county boroughs, this includes larger families, single-parent households, those with disabilities, worklessness households and those reliant on the private rented sector. Families with very young children are disproportionately affected. It highlights growing financial pressure on families who are unable to meet basic costs such as food and heating, and are more likely to be in debt. 

The longer-term impacts are significant: children in poverty are four times more likely to experience mental health problems by age 11. Educational outcomes reflect persistent inequality. In 2023/24, 7.4% of pupils in Wales eligible for Free School Meals achieved GCSE grades A*–A, compared with 22.2% of those not eligible.

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent Chief Executive Ashley Comley said: “These figures show the scale of child poverty in areas like Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly, with too many families struggling to afford the basics. 

“We continue to see people turning to us for help with debt, food and energy costs, and we would urge anyone affected to seek advice early.”

The report argues that current policy responses are insufficient to address the scale of the issue. In particular, it highlights childcare provision, with the Childcare Offer for Wales providing fewer free hours than comparable schemes elsewhere in the UK.  

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent is helping tackle issues linked to child poverty through its Schools Family Advice service. The free and confidential service supports families with school-aged children with issues including benefits, debt, housing, food and fuel support, employment and income maximisation, helping families access early support before problems escalate. 

Ashley added: “Alongside stronger advice and support for families, there must be action taken to improve incomes and strengthen childcare and welfare support so children are not held back by poverty. Services such as our Schools Family Advice project can play an important role in helping families access the support they need early and reduce some of the pressures driving child poverty.”  

Read the full report here.

Full details of the Schools Family Advice Service can be found here.

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For all press and media enquiries please email comms@cacbg.org.uk