Latest news with #GillGerman
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Gill German: Why MP voted for the Government welfare bill
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was passed in Parliament on July 1, after MPs voted 335 to 260 to give the bill its initial approval. This came after the government offered rebel Labour MPs last-minute concessions, including announcing no change to PIP rules until it had time to consider a review's conclusions. Gill German MP was one of the 335 MPs who voted in favour of the bill, arguing that the move will help up to 3.9 million families across the UK. Ms German said the bill will help move welfare "toward a fairer system" and allow the government to "work more closely with disabled people". She added that the bill was "one of the biggest boosts to basic support in decades" and thanked constituents for expressing concern which was "real and must be taken seriously". Ms German said: "The Universal Credit and PIP Bill will raise the Universal Credit allowance to £775 by 2029/30, which will help 3.9 million families. "This above-inflation increase is one of the biggest boosts to basic support in decades and marks an important step towards ensuring families can afford essentials without relying on food banks or charities. "The Bill also ends the need for reassessment for Personal Independence Payments for those with severe, lifelong conditions and protects existing PIP claimants from any future eligibility changes. "Eligibility changes for new PIP claimants will now be considered at a later date after the PIP review, also known as the Timms Review, concludes in 2026. "Many in Clwyd North have shared their concerns with me about what changes to PIP eligibility might mean and I thank everyone who has shared their story. That concern is real and must be taken seriously. "I welcome the government's commitment to protect existing claimants, accelerate the review of PIP assessments, and working more closely with disabled people. "Alongside measures like the 'Right to Try' work without risking current entitlements, and greater investment in health and employment pathways, I believe we can move toward a fairer system, and it is for this reason that I support this Bill." The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill had initially been proposed to potentially save up to £5billion - this now faces delay or loss entirely after amendments were made. The bill is now in the committee stage, and will have a third reading in Parliament which, if approved, will mean it will then be presented to the House of Lords.
North Wales Live
27-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
North Wales MP's support for welfare cuts branded 'a disgrace'
A Colwyn Bay councillor has slammed Clwyd North's MP for vowing to support a bill that could put tens of thousands of children into poverty. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is attempting to cut costs on personal independence payments (PIP) in a bid to save around £5 billion on welfare benefits. But 126 MPs have backed an amendment that would stop the bill being passed – with a vote on the matter set to take place next Tuesday. Last night, the Government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off Sir Keir's first major Commons defeat since coming to power. Party rebels started to turn after a government impact assessment found in March that the cuts could push around 250,000 people into poverty. Last week, Labour MP, Gill German, who represents Clwyd North, vowed to support the controversial bill. Now Colwyn Bay town councillor Phil Ashe has slammed the MP, saying she represents some of the poorest communities in Wales, many of whom rely on benefits. 'I'm really disappointed that our MP Gill German hasn't supported the 126 MPs and signed the amendment to next week's welfare reform bill,' said Cllr Ashe. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. 'Her government's own impact assessment says 50,000 more children will be pushed into poverty, yet she is clearly just going to toe the party line. The areas she is representing, Rhyl West for one, are some of the most deprived areas in the UK. "Another one, Glyn Ward in Colwyn Bay, is above the average for people that claim PIP payments. It is one of the most deprived areas of the country. People in Colwyn Bay claim more PIP payments than the national average, and she wants to take away their PIP payments, and these are people in her own constituency, just so she can toe the party line of what is clearly a failing government. It is a disgrace.' Mrs German declined to comment. Last week Mrs German defended the government's bid to cut the welfare bill. 'Our health and disability benefits system and employment support system needs urgent reform,' she said. 'Since our Pathways to Work Green Paper was published in March, I have engaged extensively on this with constituents as well as national and local organisations in this field, including person-roundtable events in Clwyd North and through work as a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee.' She added: 'These have informed my representations to government ministers and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I will continue to work with government on this important issue.' Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
18-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
'I applied for PIP three times and it was gruelling and horrific'
A woman who has applied for personal independence payments (PIP) three times fears proposed benefits by the UK Government will have a "harrowing" impact on the most vulnerable North Wales families. Dinah, from Colwyn Bay, has launched a petition urging her local Labour MP, Gill German, who represents Clwyd North, to vote against her government's plan to cut £5billion from the welfare budget. The changes are due to be introduced this week before being voted on before the end of the month. Dinah, who asked for her surname not to be published, is one of tens of thousands of people who now fear their lives could be severely affected by the cost-cutting measures. Dinah, 29, has endured mental health problems since childhood including PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), and depression, since childhood. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox She explained her own experience of applying for the payment which gives financial support to people living with long-term physical or mental health conditions. Dinah, who does work, described the assessment process as 'gruelling and horrific' requiring her to share extremely personal details, even relating to showering, washing, and toilet needs. She added: "If the proposed changes to welfare benefits go through, I will have absolutely no chance of getting PIP under the new scoring criteria. "I do work, but I struggle to make ends meet as a single adult with no family support - I struggle to afford my rent and bills, and I have to occasionally rely on food banks. I have been suicidal in the past due to historical trauma and financial stress. 'PIP would enable me to afford specialised therapy that will enable me to not only stay healthy and able to work, but to sustain me and prevent my mental health from spiralling.' She added: 'Over the past few weeks, I've been out meeting fellow residents of Clwyd North, listening to their stories, raising awareness of the proposed welfare cuts, and collecting signatures for a petition I will be delivering to MP Gill German. 'I spoke recently with Gill, sharing my own story and that of other local PIP claimants, and she told me she intends to vote for these proposals with no plans for any replacement support to speak of. The DWP's own impact assessment suggests that 400,000 households, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into poverty as a result of the cuts. Other independent experts put this figure even higher. 'Some of the stories I've heard from local people have been harrowing, including from homeless people and seriously mentally and physically disabled people who literally rely on PIP to survive. Every single person I've spoken to opposes the cuts. These changes are going to impact our society's most vulnerable, and it's absolutely crystal clear that local constituents do not support them.' Clwyd North MP Gill German defended the government's bid to cut the welfare bill. She said: 'Our health and disability benefits system and employment support system needs urgent reform. Since our Pathways to Work Green Paper was published in March, I have engaged extensively on this with constituents as well as national and local organisations in this field, including person-roundtable events in Clwyd North and through work as a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee. 'These have informed my representations to government ministers and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I will continue to work with government on this important issue.' Conwy County Council's carers' champion Cheryl Carlisle said had been contacted by many residents distressed by the Government's proposals.
