Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 1:53 pm on 5 October 2022.

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Photo of Sioned Williams Sioned Williams Plaid Cymru 1:53, 5 October 2022

Thank you. I look forward to seeing the result of that evaluation. We also heard the First Minister rightly condemn the Prime Minister's wish not to increase benefits in line with inflation, the benefits of people who already have almost nothing to live on. They're facing a terrifying winter. And as you know, Minister, Scotland are better able to protect their most vulnerable citizens from the callous and shameful attitude of the Westminster Government, because they have more powers over the administration of welfare payments. The further funding you announced this week you just referred to to help organisations such as foodbanks is, of course, welcome, despicable as it is in twenty-first century Wales that people are struggling to afford food.

You have announced other schemes that you've just referenced, such as the fuel support scheme, to try and lessen the impact of these record levels of need amongst Welsh families. But, we've heard many times from anti-poverty campaigners and support organisations that there is a need for a single streamlined and automatic system to ensure this support gets to those who need it. So, could you please let us know, Minister, whether work on this is happening, and also update us on the commitment in the co-operation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government to support the devolution of the administration of welfare?