Members mentioned they might have a disproportionate impression on Wales, significantly in disadvantaged areas
Neath Port Talbot Council has backed a movement elevating considerations and opposition to proposed reforms to the advantages system put ahead by the UK Authorities.
The profit adjustments may see the tightening of qualification guidelines for Private Independence Funds which the native authority feels may have a “detrimental impression” on probably the most weak in its communities.
The discussions got here at a full council assembly in June of 2025, the place members mentioned strikes to chop welfare may have a disproportionate impression on Wales, significantly in disadvantaged areas comparable to Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent.
Talking on the assembly, the chief of the council Steve Hunt mentioned he would now write to each the Welsh and UK Authorities to ask that they “reassess the Welfare Reform Act and conduct a complete assessment of the proposed adjustments with a give attention to understanding their implications on weak populations, particularly in Wales.”
He mentioned: “While its intention is to streamline welfare providing and tackle bodily consideration, an unintended consequence is the potential for growing hardship amongst probably the most deprived members of society.
“These results might undermine the social security internet important for making certain a minimal way of life, significantly for people who’re unable to assist themselves attributable to numerous socio-economic or health-related challenges.”
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Deputy chief, councillor Alun Llewelyn of Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera, seconded the movement including {that a} re- evaluation and assessment have been urgently wanted.
He mentioned: “It’s clear that this laws is misconceived.
“Because the movement states, the intention could also be to streamline welfare, however its unintended consequence can be to plunge a whole bunch of hundreds of individuals in Wales deeper into poverty, and a re- evaluation and assessment are urgently wanted.”
Councillor Sonia Reynolds of the Neath Port Talbot Labour group mentioned that they had written to the Prime Minister to ask him to rethink his stance on welfare advantages cuts and search for different options.
She added that the impression of reductions could possibly be significantly extreme in locations like Neath Port Talbot, citing figures from the Joseph Rowntree Basis which recommended 24% of individuals in Wales at the moment dwell in poverty.
The movement was later accredited unanimously by members, with an modification that will additionally see the authority formally reply to the UK Governments Pathways to Work inexperienced paper which is open for session till June 30, 2025.
This session discusses proposals to reform well being and incapacity advantages and employment assist, with a give attention to getting extra folks into work.
