Child poverty levels in Wales are set to soar because of benefit cuts, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) had said.

The report says an extra 400,000 children will be pushed into absolute poverty by the roll-out of universal credit in the UK; with the biggest rises hitting Wales, the North East, East Midlands and Northern Ireland.

Child poverty levels are predicted to increase by 4% nationally between 2015/16 and 2021/22.

The limiting of tax credits and universal credit to two children will leave some low income families with £2,500 less in benefits than they otherwise would have received, the report says.

The IFS said that without the benefit reforms, absolute poverty rates would have declined slightly.

Credit: PA

If the Government sticks to planned benefit cuts, it should not be surprised if, according to the official measure, absolute child poverty rises. Tom Waters, Institute of Fiscal Studies