Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:01 pm on 26 May 2021.
[Inaudible.]—another example. Westminster's latest assault on Welsh democracy involves the £500 bonus for health and care staff in Wales. Not content with taxing it, Westminster now appears to be using it as an excuse to cut people's benefits. So, instead of receiving a thank-you bonus, many workers will be punished with a deduction of up to 63 per cent in their universal credit. If we controlled our own welfare and tax policy here, none of this would happen of course. Now, you recently reiterated, First Minister, your personal opposition to the devolution of tax and benefits in a wholesale way, as, for you, they are part of the glue that holds the United Kingdom together. Perhaps, though, even you might now concede that that glue is coming decidedly unstuck. What is the collective view of the new Welsh Government on the devolution of welfare?