The Impact of Welfare Reforms on South-east Wales

Part of 2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children – in the Senedd at 2:22 pm on 18 October 2017.

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Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour 2:22, 18 October 2017

Yes, the Member is right to raise this point, and I’ve worked with Bethan Jenkins in terms of financial literacy; it’s a really important point. But, for many of these people who are undergoing universal credit roll-out, the problem is they don’t have any money. The problem is that to have savings or otherwise is a luxury. This programme is flawed. I’m grateful for the Member’s support in this space, but actually we have to, collectively, think about making sure the UK Government recognises the damaging effect the universal credit roll-out is having on communities. And while we had two trial areas in Wales, there was lots of evidence behind that saying about the devastating impact it’s having on those families there. We are only just starting the roll-out of this programme, but it’s flawed and needs stopping.