Nearly a third of children in Aberavon are living in poverty according to statistics published the End Child Poverty coalition. Local MP Stephen Kinnock has called the figures ‘scandalous’ and said ‘there should be no place for child poverty in 21st century Britain.

Figures from the End Child Poverty Coalition show 4424 children living in poverty in Aberavon which represents 31.6% of children in the area.

Commenting on the figures Mr Kinnock said, “These figures are a damning indictment of this UK government’s policies, and how they have let down the people of Aberavon. There are areas of real poverty in the constituency and it is reflected in these figures where you see 41% of children in the Aberavon area living in poverty, 40% of children in Cymmer, and 41% of children in the Sandfields.

“The UK government have failed to tackle the increasing cost of living and stagnating wages. Instead they have chosen to attack the social security payments that many of these families rely on for support. As a result parents have been left struggling with the day-to-day cost of living, struggling to afford the things their children need, and going without to ensure their children don’t. This should not be happening in 21st century Britain.”