Carl Sargeant, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today I have published the Welsh Government’s Strategic Equality Plan for 2016-2020.
In drafting our second four year Equality Plan, we have drawn on evidence and engaged with stakeholders and public and Third Sector organisations to develop our eight Equality Objectives, ensuring we continue to address the key priority areas.
The Plan contains not just the Equality Objectives themselves, but also captures a range of Welsh Government actions which contribute towards the achievement of the well-being goals within the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, including a more equal Wales and a Wales of cohesive communities.
We have taken a different approach to this second Equality Plan, in that it is purposefully strategic and sign posts to the range of specific activities that will help to deliver our Equality Objectives. Our approach allows our audience to delve into those areas of most importance to them with more ease.
Earlier this week I published statements on our Child Poverty Strategy, the Welsh Government Financial Inclusion Delivery Plan and the Information and Advice Action Plan. These all sit within the context of this Strategic Equality Plan, and provide the details of the actions Departments are taking to achieve our Equality Objectives.
My update on child poverty highlighted that delivering our ambition to eradicate child poverty by 2020 is not now possible, however, our commitment to this agenda is not in doubt. We will continue to use all available levers to improve the outcomes of children living in low income families.
The Financial Inclusion Delivery Plan sets out how the Welsh Government will work with partner organisations – both in Wales and at a UK level – to move to a more financially included society in Wales.
The Delivery Plan highlights the link between financial inclusion and other key priorities such as tackling poverty and encouraging steps towards employment. In particular, there are strong links with our Information and Advice Action Plan, which sets out how we will work with partners to establish a comprehensive network of quality assured information and advice providers. It also aligns with actions in strategies published by key partners, including the Financial Capability Strategy for Wales and the Credit Union Strategy for Wales.
Links to the documents can be accessed via the link below.