A NEW approach to tackling poverty in Wales is needed, a report by a Welsh Assembly committee led by a Newport AM has said.

The report into the Welsh Government's anti-poverty scheme Communities First, which is being scrapped, was put together by the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, which is chaired by Newport East AM John Griffiths.

But the Welsh Government has said poverty is an issue which should be considered by all departments, and therefore an overarching policy is not appropriate.

Labour AM Mr Griffiths said: "The figures around poverty in Wales are stark and become more forceful when you stop thinking of them as figures and start thinking of them as people.

"Poverty has not gone away with the decision to end Communities First.

"This committee is clear that there needs to be a detailed poverty strategy to help those people who are struggling in Wales.

"We are not convinced by the Welsh Government’s view that a cross-cutting approach which makes it the responsibility of each of its departments renders a strategy inappropriate.

"We intend to consider the various issues and policies surrounding poverty during the course of this Assembly to monitor the government’s progress."

More than £432 million was invested into Communities First, which was set up in 2011. But reports have shown its effectiveness was not properly monitored and assessed.

Research has shown 700,000 people in Wales, almost 25 per cent of the country's entire population, are living in poverty, including 30 per cent of children, more than any other UK nation.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has estimated £3.6 billion, or £1,150 per person, is spent on poverty in Wales every year.