Community

Committee calls for rethink of ‘deeply concerning’ welfare cuts

Published

1 year ago

May 27, 2025

SENEDD Members called on the UK Government to “get its house in order” before ploughing ahead with plans to slash welfare spending by nearly £5bn.

The Senedd’s equality committee urged Liz Kendall, the UK work and pensions secretary, to address barriers disabled people face in accessing employment before reforming welfare.

Ms Kendall announced the biggest shake-up to the welfare system in a generation in March, including plans to tighten up the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip).

In a letter to UK ministers, Jenny Rathbone, the Labour chair of the equality committee, wrote: “We have been contacted by individuals and stakeholders expressing deep concern about the proposed changes and the impact they will have on local economies.

“We share these concerns and feel strongly that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – alongside employers and other tiers of government – must work much harder to get their houses in order before implementing reform.”

Ms Rathbone added: “We urge the [UK] Government to acknowledge these concerns and keep the people affected at the heart of its decision-making.”

In March, her committee concluded an inquiry into the disability employment gap, warning that too many people face physical and institutional barriers to the world of work.

The gap, which is the difference of employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people, stood at 30% in 2023/24 and has consistently been higher than elsewhere in Britain.

Ms Rathbone wrote: “We felt it was important to urge the UK Government to address the specific barriers disabled people face in accessing employment – identified in our report – before changes to eligibility and support for disabled people are implemented.”

She called for urgent action to radically improve support for disabled people to gain and retain employment before removing entitlements.

The committee criticised the DWP’s “poor performance”, with delays of up to 20 weeks in accessing support through the Access to Work scheme.

As many as 275,000 people in Wales receive Pip and 110,000 who receive universal credit have limited capability for work-related activity, according to the Bevan Foundation.

Senedd Members on the equality committee wrote: “The UK Government intends to introduce these changes at speed with changes to Pip and universal credit scheduled for August and November 2026 respectively.

“We do not support this timetable until progress is made to tackle barriers which contribute to the disability employment gap, with evidence that comprehensive support is in place.

“Such an approach risks raising the anchor before checking the sails and we urge the UK Government to look again at the timing and sequencing of these changes.”

The committee’s letter acknowledged the case for reform, with a 45% increase in the number of people claiming health-related benefits since 2018/19.

“We agree that action is needed in instances where there is evidence of perverse incentives in the current system,” wrote members of the committee.

“However, while the impact of other factors such as NHS waiting times is acknowledged, there is a risk current proposals fail to capture the complexity behind why the number of people claiming continues to grow.

“Some of the changes, as highlighted by the Resolution Foundation, appear to be primarily designed to save money and to help meet fiscal rules rather than for principled reasons.”

Senedd Members added: “Given the potential impact on Welsh individuals and communities, we call on the UK Government to ensure that spending on disability benefits is determined by the level of need and not by a desire to meet fiscal targets.”

Impact assessments published by the UK Government – which were carried out on an England-and-Wales basis – were inadequate and lacked detail, according to the letter.

Warning cuts will have a disproportionate impact on Wales, the letter stated: “While the UK Government is yet to publish an impact assessment for Wales, analysis from stakeholders starkly illustrates the potential impacts of the proposed reforms….

“Policy in Practice suggests that they will hit Wales and north-east England the hardest. It estimates that nearly 190,000 people in Wales will be affected by the reforms, with a potential financial impact of £470m.

“According to their analysis, four of the ten worst-affected local authorities in Great Britain are in Wales: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot and Caerphilly.”

Senedd Members stressed: “Given these findings, it is critical that the UK Government gives clarity on how it anticipates Wales will be impacted.”

The equality committee’s letter also expressed concerns about the potential impact on children, young people and poverty rates in Wales.

Criticising proposals to end health-related universal credit payments for under-22s altogether, the letter said: “Our concerns about these changes in relation to children and to levels of child poverty are particularly acute.

“Children have no control over their circumstances and lack any means of redress. More children and young people live in poverty in the UK than any other age group.

“We recognise the need to reduce youth unemployment and economic inactivity, and its potential scaring effects. We want to see all children and young people fulfil their potential.

“However, we are concerned that these aims are undermined if rates of child poverty continue to increase as has been suggested as a result of these policy changes.”

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

8 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)