Latest news with #RhianDavies
The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Disability benefit cuts will affect Wales disproportionately, campaigners say
Disability benefit cuts planned by the UK government will disproportionately impact the lives of people in Wales, campaigners have said. Research released by the data analytics company Policy in Practice last week estimated that 190,000 people – 6% of the population – could have their incomes slashed by up to 60% by the end of this parliament if eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) is tightened as proposed in a March green paper. The proposals, which are still at the consultation stage, would further compound poverty and exclusion for disabled people in Wales, according to the chief executive of Disability Wales, Rhian Davies. 'It's not just individuals who will be out of pocket, entire communities will be affected. Our survey of members showed that people are angry and terrified and some reported suicidal thoughts, which is very concerning,' she said. 'We must address the systemic failures that keep disabled people out of work and public life before we start looking at reforming the benefits system.' About 900,000 people, or 27% of Wales' population, live with a disability, according to Public Health Network Cymru – higher than the UK average of 22% – and 11% of working-age people, compared with 7% in England. The proposed changes would have a markedly uneven impact across the UK, earlier Policy in Practice analysis found. In Wales, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Neath Port Talbot are the worst-affected areas per capita. Trevor Palmer, an entrepreneur from Newport diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1994, said losing access to Pip would 'severely restrict' his day-to-day life and in effect shut down his charity ResponseABLE Assistance, which works on equality issues for disabled people around the world. 'It would ruin my life, to be honest. I'm 70 and I have a pension, but Pip is about 60% of my income. I'm a full-time wheelchair user and I use it for transport and things like adaptations to the car. Without it, I wouldn't be able to go out.' A UK government spokesperson said that most people currently getting Pip would continue to receive it. A review of the Pip assessment would involve 'working with disabled people and key organisations representing them – including in Wales – to consider how best to do this', they said. 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected,' the spokesperson added. When the changes to disability benefits were proposed in March, Wales' first minister, Eluned Morgan, called on the UK government to conduct a Wales-specific impact assessment, which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) declined to do. The proposals have caused friction between the Senedd and the government in Westminster, which promised a 'partnership in power' in which the two Labour administrations would 'work in lockstep' after Keir Starmer led the party to a national election victory last year. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Morgan, the first minister and leader of the Welsh Labour party, told the Guardian last month that she was 'losing patience' with UK Labour as she struggles to counter a growing threat from Plaid Cymru and Reform UK in next May's Senedd elections. Recent polling suggested Labour was trailing in third place, with its worst vote share – 18% – since devolution 25 years ago. UK government ministers have said the changes to disability benefits are essential to overhaul a 'broken system' amid growing numbers of working-age people claiming health-related benefits. More than 3m UK households will be hit by the changes to disability and incapacity benefits starting from next year. Official estimates forecast 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into poverty as a result. In Wales, a comprehensive 10-year disabled people's rights plan is under consultation at the Senedd. The DWP also took part in a recent inquiry into Wales' outsized disability employment gap, which Davies of Disability Wales said made the proposed cuts 'all the more perplexing'. 'It's like these changes have arrived in a vacuum,' she said. The Welsh government said: 'These welfare reforms are impacting people in Wales, and we are listening closely to those with lived experience, as well as the organisations that represent them. Our response to the green paper will reflect the concerns we've heard, and we urge the UK government to also listen carefully to what people in Wales are saying.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Welsh government disability plan accused of lacking measurable targets
Plans to improve the lives of disabled people have been criticised for lacking measurable Disabled People's Right Plan aims to give people more rights across a range of areas in critics have said much of the detail could fall off the agenda, especially after a new government is elected next Welsh government said short-term recommendations from a disability rights taskforce had been "turned into actions" while longer-term aims will help guide future governments towards its "10-year vision". Ministers have been working on the taskforce for the past four years, which has included disabled people and groups which represent produced more the 300 recommendations for reform in areas such as social care, employment, housing and travel, in a plan that stretches over the next 10 some who took part have said the recommendations have not been incorporated in the document sent out for consultation. Rhian Davies, chief executive of Disability Wales, said it was "very frustrating"."The taskforce was set up by the [then First Minister] Mark Drakeford in November 2021, but because of the complexity and number of barriers that disabled people face in society, crossing every policy area, it is a complex task engaging so many people," she said. "We would have wanted to see the plan out much sooner so there was a very real chance of progress on some of the recommendations and the actions, so that the next government would have been further ahead on delivery."Ms Davies added: "I think disabled people deserve that." Prof Debbie Foster co-chaired the taskforce and said she was concerned the plan could end up gathering dust if politicians from all parties do not commit to it."I'm really very worried," she said. "I think that the fact that we've been put in this position, that it's come out so late in this political administration, is really a bit depressing."She added that what was created was "very robust and innovative"."It's got the voices of disabled people in it, and we have had a really good civil service to support the whole mechanism of trying to co-produce a task force."I think also, given the wider UK picture with benefit cuts, we need the Welsh government to be coming out, whichever political party is in charge, and assuring disabled people in Wales, that they have a different plan than the current UK government." The issue was also brought up with the minister responsible by opposition members in the Senedd this chair of the Senedd's all party group on disability, Mark Isherwood MS, asked on behalf of disabled groups how the Welsh government responded to its statement which said many of the long-term objectives lacked firm also asked how it intended to ensure continuity and accountability for the longer-term objectives beyond the current Welsh Conservative politician added there had also been criticism from within the sector that the plan does not have concrete targets, which he said made it impossible to hold the Welsh government to account on progress. Jane Hutt, the cabinet secretary responsible for the plan, responded: "I think what's important is that this is a comprehensive 10-year plan, which lays out our long-term ambitions and the actions we will take now."She added the plan was also a progress report which set out some of the achievements made so far and the Welsh government's ongoing work to achieve positive outcomes for disabled said: "It is future Senedd government's who will set out the medium to long-term actions that they will take to achieve the ambition and outcomes for disabled people set out in this 10-year plan, but we've started to take forward some of the short-term actions now."We don't have to wait until the next Senedd term to take action to improve outcomes for disabled people." The Welsh government said it was "committed to creating an inclusive, accessible Wales where disabled people can live free from barriers and discrimination". It added short-term recommendations from the Disability Rights Taskforce had been "turned into actions" while longer-term aims will help guide future governments towards its "10-year vision"."We call on all disabled people and allies to please feed into the plan. This is a plan for now and into the future."
