As you are already aware, prior to the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, over 1 in 4 children in Wales were living in poverty. People from certain ethnic groups, children, disabled people, single parents, carers, those living in private rented housing or working in certain sectors were all more likely to experience poverty. Since March 2020, evidence gained from research conducted by a number of organisations in Wales, has suggested that levels of child poverty have and will continue to rise as a direct result of the pandemic. Our survey sought to find out how Coronavirus has impacted on low income and disadvantaged families, and given the extensive research that has already been undertaken in Wales, our aim was to fill the gaps in our knowledge, specifically around food insecurity; digital inclusion; and income and employment and to use the findings to inform policy change in Wales.
