Welfare cuts: SoS for Wales accused of backtracking on previous ‘strong convictions’
In 2015, Jo Stevens broke the Labour whip to vote against welfare cuts
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, today held the UK Government to account during Wales Questions, highlighting the devastating impact of upcoming national insurance hikes and controversial welfare cuts on businesses and communities in Wales.
During the questioning session Ms Saville Roberts cited specific concerns from local businesses and essential services in her Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency, stating:
“Elaine’s hair salon in Llanrug, Pitian Patian nursery in Llanwnda, care homes and GP surgeries across Dwyfor Meirionnydd tell me that national insurance hikes coming in just a few weeks will stop them hiring new staff. Her government says they’re cutting welfare to get people into jobs. What jobs?”
Ms Saville Roberts challenged the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, to justify how these policies align with the government’s stated aim of increasing employment, warning that the measures would instead lead to fewer job opportunities and increased hardship for businesses and workers alike.
Welfare cuts likely to be announced soon include restrictions on eligibility for the Personal Independent Payment, which provides help with extra living costs to those with a long-term physical or mental health condition, and cuts to incapacity benefits for people unable to work and receiving universal credit.
Liz Saville Roberts MP reminded the Secretary of State of her past opposition to welfare cuts, recalling their shared stance in 2015 when Ms Stevens had defied the Labour whip to oppose what she had then described as ‘despicable’ Tory policies.
Ms Saville Roberts asked:
“Back in 2015, the Secretary of State and I walked through the same voting lobby against what she then described as ‘despicable’ Tory welfare cuts, and she dared to break the Labour whip to do so. Given this evidence of her strong convictions on this issue, how can she justify remaining in a cabinet intent on implementing Tory-style welfare cuts?”
In response, the Secretary of State said that Labour had encouraged a Tory welfare system that was the “worst of all worlds” and did not address Ms Saville Roberts’ question directly.
Speaking after the session, Ms Saville Roberts added:
“Labour’s betrayal of working people in Wales is becoming clearer by the day. They promised change, but instead, we are seeing the continuation of cruel, Conservative-style austerity that will do nothing to improve the lives of people in our communities.
“When she was a backbencher, the now Secretary of State for Wales rightly slammed Tory welfare cuts, but is happy to sit by while Labour does the same. We see the Labour First Minister of Wales taking the exact same approach. Our communities deserve representatives who stand up for their interests.”