6. Plaid Cymru Debate: Universal Credit

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:21 pm on 15 September 2021.

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Photo of Luke Fletcher Luke Fletcher Plaid Cymru 5:21, 15 September 2021

—of yourself. Utterly ashamed of yourself. [Interruption.] Utterly, utterly ashamed of yourself. You have no purchase in this argument whatsoever.

So, what needs to happen? Well we've outlined in clear terms in our motion, and we've elaborated in great detail, what the Welsh Government needs to do. A socialist Government would pursue the devolution of welfare as a matter of urgency to tackle poverty in Wales. And I'm sure the Minister and Labour Members would forgive me when I say that I don't always see eye to eye with them, but I would like to think that their Government would be far more compassionate than the one we have in Westminster at the moment, not that the bar has been set particularly high, mind you. The Government must publish a robust and meaningful plan to tackle poverty that contains clear performance targets to measure progress, and it must mitigate the worst effects of the cut to universal credit by maintaining flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund while employing other measures, such as extending free school meals eligibility.

Like my friend Sioned Williams, I too have only been a Member of the Senedd for four months, and I've heard enough about reviews to last me a lifetime. People need help now. The time to act is now. What is the point of this place and what is the point of us if we cannot protect the people of Wales? What is the point of this place if we cannot give the people of Wales the help that they need when they need it the most?

I ask Members one thing when they come to vote on this motion: think long and hard. Think long and hard about the hardships that face working families in Wales today. Think long and hard about the consequences of your vote. Think long and hard about what help you would need if you ever found yourselves in their positions.