‘£5 billion welfare cuts will add more strain to Welsh public services’ – Plaid Cymru
‘£5 billion welfare cuts will add more strain to Welsh public services’ – Plaid Cymru
Ann Davies MP says Wales will be hit particularly hard by UK Government cuts
Plaid Cymru Work and Pensions spokesperson,Ann Davies MP, has criticised the UK Government’s planned cuts to welfare, saying that they will “only add strain to already overstretched health services”.
Wales will be hit particularly hard by the cuts, with the nation having the second highest proportion in the UK of disabled people of working age, at 28%. Disabled people in Wales are less likely than average to be in employment, with 50.9% having a paid job, and therefore they are more likely to rely on benefits as their sole source of income. For comparison, just 22.4% of people in the south-east of England are disabled and 61.7% of them are in employment.
The measures, which include restrictions to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), do not go as far as initially briefed to the press, but constitute a£5 billion cut to the welfare system. Ms Davies said that devolved services will have to “shoulder the costs of these damaging cuts”, yet criticised the Welsh Government for remaining “silent”
These cuts come at a time of rising economic inactivity, a growing backlog for government support, and increasing demand for specialist equipment for disabled workers. Plaid Cymru say that the priority should be to invest in support for disabled people and those suffering with mental health issues to access training, rather than harsh cuts to support
Plaid Cymru’s DWP spokesperson, Ann Davies MP, said
“Stripping £5 billion from the welfare bill will only add strain to already overstretched health services.
“Once again, this UK Labour Government is choosing short-term austerity over long-term solutions to the deep issues that affect us all.
“Instead of slashing vital support, the UK Government should be investing in ways to address poverty, health inequalities, and the lack of support for disabled people.
“Wales will particularly impacted,with the second-highest proportion of disabled people of working age in the UK. Devolved services will have to shoulder the costs of these damaging cuts, yet the Labour Welsh Government remain silent. Plaid Cymru will stand up for the vulnerable.
“These cuts are not only unnecessary but avoidable. The government has a clear choice: implement a wealth tax, as suggested by its own MPs, or continue with these punitive measures. A 2% levy on assets over £10 million could raise £24 billion, which could be reinvested into services that help disabled people and those struggling with ill health get back into employment or training, where possible. It’s time for the UK Government to remember its promise of ‘change’ and start offering hope, not misery.”
‘£5 billion welfare cuts will add more strain to Welsh public services’ – Plaid Cymru
‘£5 billion welfare cuts will add more strain to Welsh public services’ – Plaid Cymru
Ann Davies MP says Wales will be hit particularly hard by UK Government cuts
Plaid Cymru Work and Pensions spokesperson, Ann Davies MP, has criticised the UK Government’s planned cuts to welfare, saying that they will “only add strain to already overstretched health services”.
Wales will be hit particularly hard by the cuts, with the nation having the second highest proportion in the UK of disabled people of working age, at 28%. Disabled people in Wales are less likely than average to be in employment, with 50.9% having a paid job, and therefore they are more likely to rely on benefits as their sole source of income. For comparison, just 22.4% of people in the south-east of England are disabled and 61.7% of them are in employment.
The measures, which include restrictions to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), do not go as far as initially briefed to the press, but constitute a £5 billion cut to the welfare system. Ms Davies said that devolved services will have to “shoulder the costs of these damaging cuts”, yet criticised the Welsh Government for remaining “silent”
These cuts come at a time of rising economic inactivity, a growing backlog for government support, and increasing demand for specialist equipment for disabled workers. Plaid Cymru say that the priority should be to invest in support for disabled people and those suffering with mental health issues to access training, rather than harsh cuts to support
Plaid Cymru’s DWP spokesperson, Ann Davies MP, said
“Stripping £5 billion from the welfare bill will only add strain to already overstretched health services.
“Once again, this UK Labour Government is choosing short-term austerity over long-term solutions to the deep issues that affect us all.
“Instead of slashing vital support, the UK Government should be investing in ways to address poverty, health inequalities, and the lack of support for disabled people.
“Wales will particularly impacted, with the second-highest proportion of disabled people of working age in the UK. Devolved services will have to shoulder the costs of these damaging cuts, yet the Labour Welsh Government remain silent. Plaid Cymru will stand up for the vulnerable.
“These cuts are not only unnecessary but avoidable. The government has a clear choice: implement a wealth tax, as suggested by its own MPs, or continue with these punitive measures. A 2% levy on assets over £10 million could raise £24 billion, which could be reinvested into services that help disabled people and those struggling with ill health get back into employment or training, where possible. It’s time for the UK Government to remember its promise of ‘change’ and start offering hope, not misery.”