1 in 5 families to be left without ‘safety net’ warns Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru  today (Wednesday 15 September) led a debate in the Senedd on Universal Credit.

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Social Justice and Equalities, Sioned Williams MS, “vehemently opposes” the UK Government’s proposal to scrap the £20 uplift in universal credit, wants recognition that Wales will be disproportionately affected by the cuts, and calls on Welsh Government to pursue the means to tackle poverty.

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Social Justice and Equalities, Sioned Williams MS said,

“The increase to Universal Credit was meant to ‘strengthen the safety net’. The scrapping of this extra £20 is at a time when living costs are predicted to increase – what then for the 1 in 5 families who currently claim this in Wales?

“Had Universal Credit grown in line with GDP per capita, it would be £40 a week higher, and yet the Tory UK government propose to scrap even the £20 uplift. Welsh Government must now pursue the devolution of welfare in order to tackle poverty in Wales, and in the meantime, maintain flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund to keep a lifeline available for those who most need it.

“The removal of this uplift in Universal Credit is not just weakening the safety net for 275,000 families in Wales – it’s ripping it out from under them.”