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Brown on assembly election trail Brown on assembly election trail
(20 minutes later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown has joined the Welsh assembly election campaign for the first time, meeting pupils at a primary school in Cardiff. Chancellor Gordon Brown has warned of the consequences of Labour losing power in the Welsh assembly election.
Mr Brown, who is widely expected to take over as Prime Minister within months, highlighted what Labour is doing to tackle child poverty. Mr Brown, visiting a primary school in the Cardiff North constituency, said more was achieved when governments in Wales and Westminster worked together.
The party aims to end child poverty in Wales by 2020 by putting the goal "at the heart of the work of government". Mr Brown also defended the post-devolution differences in the UK as "healthy diversity".
But Barnardos Cymru warned that more treasury cash would be needed. Plaid Cymru and the Tories promoted policies for pensioners and the Lib Dems campaigned on dental services.
To help meet the target, Labour has promised to provide more support for childcare in poorer areas and more money for Child Trust Funds. Mr Brown, who is expected to succeed Tony Blair as Prime Minister within months, made his first appearance of the assembly election campaign at Llanishen Fach primary school in Rhiwbina.
The party has also pledged to place a legal requirement on public agencies to demonstrate their contribution to tackling child poverty. He was greeted by a large media scrum and a lone protestor, John Benson, a former Allied Steel and Wire worker in Cardiff who lost his pension when the firm went bust.
Mr Brown was joined at the school, in Rhiwbina, by Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan. The Chancellor defended his government's response to the loss of pensions by workers whose employers went out of business.
Mr Morgan said a partnership between Labour at the assembly and Westminster had cut child poverty by 20 per cent since 1999. He said every one of the 125,000 people would receive help from an £8bn fund.
He said: "A decade ago, the level of children living in poverty in Wales was well above the UK average. Mr Brown praised Welsh Labour's manifesto commitment to add £50 to all Child Trust Funds with a £100 top-up for children from low income families.
"Today the rate has fallen below the overall level in the UK." He also defended the UK government's efforts to combat child poverty, amid warnings from children's charity Barnardos Cymru that more treasury cash was needed.
He said Labour would concentrate its efforts in two areas: in helping families directly with measures such as child benefits and child trust funds, and also by getting more people back to work.
The chancellor also warned against the "separatists or Conservatives controlling the Welsh assembly""
He said: "The partnership between the Welsh Lab assembly and the UK government has been incredible productive - working together we can achieve much more".
'Growing concern''Growing concern'
Two of the other main parties were campaigning on policies for older people.Two of the other main parties were campaigning on policies for older people.
Plaid Cymru launched a charter pledging to end pensioner poverty by 2020.Plaid Cymru launched a charter pledging to end pensioner poverty by 2020.
Speaking at a lunch with pensioners in Caernarfon, Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones promised to cap council tax for pensioners before replacing it with a local income taxSpeaking at a lunch with pensioners in Caernarfon, Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones promised to cap council tax for pensioners before replacing it with a local income tax
Mr Jones said a Plaid assembly government would also cap care charges for the elderly as the first step towards scrapping them completely.Mr Jones said a Plaid assembly government would also cap care charges for the elderly as the first step towards scrapping them completely.
He said: "All parties have agreed to end child poverty by 2020, but pensioner poverty is a growing concern throughout Wales.He said: "All parties have agreed to end child poverty by 2020, but pensioner poverty is a growing concern throughout Wales.
"High council tax, energy bills and Gordon Brown's attack on pension funds are all taking their toll on some of the most vulnerable in our communities.""High council tax, energy bills and Gordon Brown's attack on pension funds are all taking their toll on some of the most vulnerable in our communities."
Meeting pensioners at a day centre in Cardiff, the Conservatives promised to cut pensioners' council tax bills by £100 a year, save post offices, and invest in tackling anti-social behaviour.Meeting pensioners at a day centre in Cardiff, the Conservatives promised to cut pensioners' council tax bills by £100 a year, save post offices, and invest in tackling anti-social behaviour.
Party policy director David Melding said "too many" older people were suffering from poverty and isolation.Party policy director David Melding said "too many" older people were suffering from poverty and isolation.
He said: "With the closure of post offices, poor transport infrastructure, and rising crime, older people deserve more support and help.He said: "With the closure of post offices, poor transport infrastructure, and rising crime, older people deserve more support and help.
"Our policies are part of a commitment to make Wales a more socially responsible society.""Our policies are part of a commitment to make Wales a more socially responsible society."
'Dental deserts''Dental deserts'
The Liberal Democrats were also in Cardiff, drawing attention to what they called a "crisis in Welsh dentistry".The Liberal Democrats were also in Cardiff, drawing attention to what they called a "crisis in Welsh dentistry".
Before visiting a dental practice in the city, party health spokesperson Jenny Randerson outlined a £50m package to "get Wales smiling".Before visiting a dental practice in the city, party health spokesperson Jenny Randerson outlined a £50m package to "get Wales smiling".
She said the Lib Dems would give every child aged 4-5 a toothbrush, toothpaste and education on looking after their teeth.She said the Lib Dems would give every child aged 4-5 a toothbrush, toothpaste and education on looking after their teeth.
Ms Randerson also promised investment in rural areas, which she said had become "dental deserts".Ms Randerson also promised investment in rural areas, which she said had become "dental deserts".
She said: " We would provide capital grants for dentists wishing to set up practices in rural areas as well as mobile dentists where needed.She said: " We would provide capital grants for dentists wishing to set up practices in rural areas as well as mobile dentists where needed.
"Salaried dentists would also undertake school check ups"."Salaried dentists would also undertake school check ups".