Many women in Wales at 'significant' risk of poverty, report finds

Many women in Wales are at "significant" risk of poverty, according to a report by gender equality charity Chwarae Teg.

The report, which was a collaboration with The Bevan Foundation, found the biggest causes of women being in poverty were loss of housing and relationship breakdowns.

It highlighted a culture of financial dependency where women are forced to rely on partners to supplement their income.

It said this is due to the social security system, childcare and housing.

• Child poverty becoming the 'new normal' in many parts of Wales

• 'Unacceptable' rise in food bank referrals in Wales

• Women nearly 10% more likely to be economically inactive

• Welsh girls using socks and newspaper as improvised sanitary wear

The organisations blamed the risk of poverty getting worse on "the failure of public policy" to recognise the differences in the experience of poverty between men and women.

It also said women would need to work full-time to avoid poverty, and if they have children they would need to be in the best paid half of earners.

The Bevan Foundation described the findings as a "scandal" and have called on the Welsh Government to take action.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "We are working hard to tackle inequalities facing women and girls and to create a Wales where men and women fairly share power, resources and influence."