The Leader of Powys County Council's opposition Labour group has said "rotten political decisions" are fuelling meagre levels of public service provision in Mid-Wales.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, councillor for St John ward on the county council, said Powys must fight it's corner when tackling worsening rural poverty, and compared deprivation in the county to the former coal-fields of South Wales, albeit on a smaller scale.

He also blamed an "unending" austerity programme driven down by central government for worsening access to essential services, speaking to the Welsh Fabian Society this week.

"If you trundle through the lush green, rugged and breath-taking landscapes of Powys you’d be forgiven for not seeing the poverty that blights our rural communities. It’s cloaked by the rolling hills and the old adage that 'you never see a poor farmer'," he said.

"Although abject poverty as defined by the United Nations is rarely experienced too few people in rural Wales experience the standard of living expected in a country like the UK.

"In the community I represent more than 20% of children are in poverty and in some Powys Council wards that figure rises to nearly 40%"

Cllr Dorrance said access to services in parts of Powys was poorer than in any area of Wales, with public transport routes, banks and post offices closing across the county deepening the problems already faced by residents.

"Crudely put, if you live in Powys by choice or by birth you’re more likely to have poorer access to services. I would go further and add that even when you do access public services the quality is meagre because of rotten political decisions and an unending austerity driven down on rural Wales.

"Rural communities face challenges and we have to respond to them. Prosperity for all must include rural Wales.

"The future for rural Wales isn’t just in the hands of the policy makers. Yes it’s up to them to respond to the hopes and fears of rural communities, not leave us behind and tackle the big issues but as citizens of rural Wales we must channel our voice, champion the good and fight our corner."