AM questions minister on impact of welfare reforms in Wales

Keith Davies AM who sits on the Enterprise and Business committee undertook a questioning session with the Welsh Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty on the impacts of Welfare Reforms in Wales. The Llanelli AM used the opportunity to highlight effects in Llanelli such as increased reliance on food banks and potential effects on schemes such as Communities First, leading from the UK Governments welfare reforms.

The UK Governments Welfare Reform Act brings the greatest changes to benefits in over 60 years. Wider changes will have consequences for passported benefits in Wales such as free school meals.

Eligibility for these benefits in Wales is currently based on receiving certain Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits. With DWP benefits being replaced it will affect the current eligibility criteria for passported benefits in Wales and have a knock-on effect on schemes to eradicate poverty.

Although Welfare provision in not devolved, Welsh Labour’s manifesto and Programme for Government committed to mitigating the effects of the UK Government cuts and welfare changes. Of those benefits that were devolved such as Council Tax Benefit, the Welsh Labour Government required local authorities to create a reduction scheme and has made up the funding shortfall for those facing a cut in support.

Keith Davies AM said

“I am concerned, as is the Minister, that the UK Government is not forthcoming with the eligibility data we need to create a fair system. This is the criteria we use to build Flying Start and Communities First – to name only a few, and it all depends on clarity in the new system.”

“Communities First has been prominent in Llanelli and funding was announced for the new programme earlier this year in areas including Glanymôr, Tyisha, Felinfoel, Llwynhendy, Bigyn,Lliedi, Hengoed and Trimsaran. I have seen for myself the positive effect it has. ”

“The Antioch Centre is one of three food banks in Llanelli, they have reported a triple rise in demand over the last few months and have even seen people who have not eaten for days.”

In response to a question from Mr Davies on support for food banks, The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Huw Lewis AM, said

“At least temporary destitution is now a feature within our communities that,certainly in my experience as an elected representative, I have not seen up until this point.”

“As part of the overall response and the drawing up of the Tackling Poverty Action Plan, I think we do need a renewed conversation with those sections of the voluntary sector in particular that are aiming their activity very specifically towards groups of people in financial trouble and that conversation will be on going.”

The Welsh Government has created a Ministerial Task and Finish Group for welfare reform and commissioned three stages of research on impacts in Wales.