Committee publication · Correspondence · 11 May 2026
Correspondence to and from Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, relating to the child poverty inquiry, dated 25 March and 1 April 2026
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
Correspondence between the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee and Jane Hutt MS regarding a Committee inquiry into child poverty in Wales. The Committee requests written evidence from the Welsh Government on how UK and Welsh governments collaborate to tackle child poverty. Hutt declines a full response citing the Welsh pre-election period but offers factual evidence of joint working and cross-Government engagement, referencing Wales's Child Poverty Strategy and recent policy progress reports.
Key findings
- Welsh Affairs Committee launched inquiry 'Working towards ending child poverty in Wales' to examine delivery of UK Government's 'Our Children, Our Future' strategy in Wales
- Committee invited Welsh Government written evidence by 4 May 2026, with commitment not to publish until after pre-election period
- Jane Hutt acknowledged positive engagement with UK Government counterparts including participation in Four Nations Ministerial Group on child poverty and Prime Minister visit to Wales
- Welsh Government declined to provide full response on areas for improvement in joint working, citing pre-election constraints and need for future government input
- Welsh Government signposted Committee to existing Child Poverty Strategy, Policy Progress Report, and updated Monitoring Framework as evidence of progress
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ruth Jones MP, Jane Hutt MS, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee, Welsh Government, UK Government, Four Nations Ministerial Group, Prime Minister
Notable line
“I am keen to provide factual evidence with regard to how Welsh Government has worked alongside the UK Government to support your inquiry based on my experience during the development …”
Key Quotes
“The inquiry will seek to understand how the ambitions set out in the UK Government's 'Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty' strategy will be delivered in Wales, and how the UK and Welsh governments work together towards ending child poverty in Wales.”
“I recognise the Welsh Government will shortly enter the pre-election period and there may be subsequent constraints on the evidence that can be provided, I understand child poverty has been a priority for the Welsh Government – and yourself, personally”
“… a full response to the inquiry is not possible at this stage, particularly related to suggested improvements in joint working as these will be a matter for the future government.”
“I have developed positive and productive relations with our counterparts in the UK Government and the Devolved Governments on issues relating to Child Poverty, including taking part in the Four Nations Ministerial Group on child poverty”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗