Reducing Inequality

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:07 pm on 28 November 2017.

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Photo of Rhianon Passmore Rhianon Passmore Labour 2:07, 28 November 2017

First Minister, the Welsh index of multiple deprivation suggests that households containing children have a higher rate of income deprivation than the overall population, with 24 per cent of such households in deprivation, compared with 16 per cent overall. Members in this Senedd are very well aware that universal credit, the single monthly payment that replaces the six current working-age benefits, is being rolled out across Wales. Despite the outstanding and proactive work being undertaken in Wales to support, advise and assist those impacted by welfare reform, it is inevitable that universal credit will impact negatively on the lives of the most vulnerable people across our nation, through the operation of a process that seems designed to purposely push people into poverty and debt. What representations can the Welsh Government make to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to call on the UK Tory Government to rethink a highly regressive and destructive policy?