MORE than a third of children in some parts of Monmouthshire are experiencing child poverty according to figures from the charity End Child Poverty UK.

When housing costs are considered, a total of 3,763 children (or 21.6 per cent) in the county are in poverty, with some wards experiencing higher numbers.

Overmonnow and Wyesham wards have the highest rate in Monmouth, with 35.7 and 32.63 per cent respectively, while in Chepstow St Christophers (34.39 per cent) and Thornwell (31.22 per cent) have the highest rate of child poverty.

The highest in the authority is Lansdown ward in Abergavenny, with 42.64 per cent.

Households are considered to be living in poverty if their household income (adjusted to account for household size,) is less than 60 per cent of the average.

There are eight wards with more than 30 per cent, and 18 with more than 20 per cent.

Some of the wards with the lowest child poverty include Dixton with Osbaston ward (9.73 per cent), Llanbadoc (8.49 per cent), St Kingsmark (8.13 per cent) and Portskewett (10.95 per cent).

Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of the Labour group at Monmouthshire County Council, said: “Child poverty is on the rise in Monmouthshire, now standing at over 3,700 children. One of the biggest factors for this is the cost of housing. We need to specifically tackle this to have any meaningful effect on poverty rates in Monmouthshire. So far, the record of the Conservative-run council record is appalling. They have failed to build enough affordable homes in the county, only achieving 33 per cent of their own target, undoubtedly adding to the problem. There is also a big problem of empty homes in the county. It is undermining local communities as well as making it more difficult for local people to get on the housing ladder.

“That is why at this year’s council budget meeting I proposed a policy that would help tackle the issue of people owning second homes in the county and leaving them empty,” Cllr Batrouni added. ”Shamefully, the Conservative’s voted against this proposal. If you include this with other facts like the local Conservatives imposing a new charge for local children attending ‘free’ school breakfasts and increasing school meal prices by 17 per cent, they are actively making the situation worse.”

Cllr Sara Jones, Cabinet Member for Social Justice said: “Inequality is a blight on countries around the world and the UK is not immune. Nations are meant to care for their children and I feel this responsibility very personally. While relative to other parts of Wales Monmouthshire is doing well, we have more to do and just this week we have been discussing a fresh approach to social justice that I believe can help.

“We are trying to take the politics out of this – frankly, governments of all colours are struggling - and do the best we can for everyone’s children. If we come together as a whole council I think we have the ability to make a difference and I have extended this offer to everyone. I hope it is taken up.”