2. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:39 pm on 16 May 2017.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:39, 16 May 2017

Could we find time for a statement on the detrimental impact on Welsh Government policies of well-being and promoting prosperity, of cuts—existing cuts and possible future cuts—to disability benefits in the south Wales Valleys and throughout Wales? A £30-a-week cut to some new claimants of the employment and support allowance came into effect last month, so disabled people put in a work-related activity group will now receive £73 a week. I’ll just repeat that: £73 a week. I wouldn’t be able to live on that, and also to cope with the additional challenges and costs that people with disabilities have. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, says this lower rate of support will, in her words,

‘encourage disabled people to find work.’

Yet, over 30 authoritative disability charities have said the cuts do not incentivise work at all, but they do make life harder for disabled people who face extra costs of living, and they mean some people will be unable to afford basic necessities. Last week, the Prime Minister refused to rule out further cuts to allowances for people with disabilities, so if things are bad now, we can only imagine how things might be if a Conservative Government is elected for the next five years. So, can we have a statement to shine a light on the effects of these punitive attacks on people with disabilities, and the consequences for the people we represent and the communities they live in?