Wales “can’t afford to wait for a more progressive Government at the other end of the M4” says Plaid Cymru

WALES “can’t afford” to wait for more progressive politics in England, Plaid Cymru has warned.

On 6 July, the Department for Work and Pensions admitted in response to a Plaid Cymru written question that no assessment had been made of the impact of ending the £20 Universal Credit uplift on child poverty in Wales.

Despite six former work and pensions secretaries urging ministers not to end the uplift, the UK Government have confirmed that the additional £20 payment will be subject to an “adjustment”.

Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Social Justice and Equalities, Sioned Williams MS called the move “callous”, and warned it would “push thousands into deeper poverty”.

Ms Williams also noted that the combination of the end of furlough, increases in covid cases and the rise of unemployment would have a further impact on poverty in Wales.

Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Social Justice and Equalities, Sioned Williams MS said,

“This latest callous move from the Tories in Westminster will push thousands of people into deeper poverty.

“Ending the £20 top up to Universal Credit payments – coupled with increasing Coronavirus cases and self-isolation, the ending of the furlough scheme, and rising unemployment – will see countless Welsh families struggling to make ends meet.

“Is this not reason enough for the Welsh Government to demand power over welfare so we can shield our citizens from the brunt of Tory cruelty?

“If Labour is truly keen to support and protect the most vulnerable in our society, then they must push for devolution of the administration of welfare in the first half of this Senedd term. We can’t afford to wait for a more progressive Government to become available at the other end of the M4 —we can change people’s lives and we must protect people right here, right now.”