Latest news with #PlaidCymruMS
Cambrian News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Cambrian News
Samaritans to close over 100 branches, sparking concerns
The Plaid Cymru MS called for 'urgent explanations' from the Welsh Government, saying: 'The work that the Samaritans do day in, day out is invaluable. The news of so many branches closing will be met with disappointment and fear in Wales and across the UK.
Powys County Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Letter: Plaid MS forgets the benefit system is not devolved
I read with interest the article from the Plaid Cymru MS concerning child poverty in Wales. It seems strange to me that a serving MS doesn't fully understand the devolution settlement in Wales and that his solution cannot be aligned with Scotland. Wales and Scotland do not have the same devolution settlements, consequently Scotland are able to implement policies which Wales cannot - most importantly the benefit system. The benefits system is not devolved in Wales. The arrangements in Scotland differ. Plaid are suggesting paying an additional £10 per week to families who are in receipt of Universal Credit (UC), on the face of it a reasonable solution. However, UC is a means tested benefit, therefore, the greater the income a claimant receives the less they receive in benefits. The additional £10 that UC families receive in Wales will not result in an extra £10 in their pockets! They may receive some of it whilst other families may lose their benefits altogether. If Wales pays out £10 extra per working family per week to those in receipt of UC it will result in UK Government paying out less to these families. Ironically the Welsh Government will be subsidising the DWP. According to the Welsh Affairs Committee in 2022 (The Benefits System in Wales - Welsh Affairs Committee) there were 232,739 households in receipt of UC in Wales. This initiative would cost Wales in excess of £121 million per annum plus the additional cost of administration. Scotland's settlement allows them the freedom to become involved in the benefits system but we do not have that freedom in Wales - perhaps in the future this may happen (but unlikely, I suspect). In conclusion a laudable remedy but one that has not been very well thought out.
