In the news in October

The Bevan Foundation’s work around poverty, housing and more has received extensive media coverage throughout October

Poverty

People in Wales are facing a difficult winter, with changes to the energy price cap and cost-of-living pressures continuing to have an impact. Our Head of Policy (Poverty), Steffan Evans, was heard on Global and Bauer Media radio stations this month discussing these important issues. At the beginning of the month, Steffan also appeared on Newyddion S4C to highlight how rising costs and changes to the Winter Fuel Payment will affect Welsh households.

Education Maintenance Allowance also made the headlines in October. Steffan contributed to a BBC Wales News article where he explained that low-income families had been squeezed out of receiving the benefit because of the freeze to the income threshold.

Housing

The Foundation’s recent reports around temporary accommodation and the shortage of social homes showed how Wales’ housing market is failing to meet the needs of individuals and families. Key findings from these reports were covered by a range of media outlets including Nation.Cymru, Cwmbran Life, Wrexham.com, Yahoo News, Morning Star, Wales247, Business Live, MSN News and Inside Housing.

October also saw the release of Welsh Housing Quarterly’s Autumn 2024 issue. The magazine features an article from the Bean Foundation’s Senior Policy & Research Officer, Wendy Dearden, highlighting the realities of living in temporary accommodation.

Fair Free School Meals

Challenge Poverty Week took place in October, and this year we joined with the No Recourse to Public Funds Coalition Wales, the Children’s Commissioner, Future Generations Commissioner and other partners to call for fair Free School Meals in Wales. News of the campaign was picked up by WalesOnline, Western Mail, MSN News, Yahoo News, and Morning Star.

Other

The Bevan Foundation’s work with Wales Centre for Public Policy, Lifting the lid on poverty stigma in Wales, was featured in the Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN)’s Autumn newsletter.

Our Director, Victoria Winckler, also penned an article for Business News Wales looking at why the upcoming Senedd reform matters to Welsh business.