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Pembrokeshire residents lose millions due to PIP refusals

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BETWEEN £2m and £3.9m will be lost from households in Pembrokeshire if former claimants of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in the county refused Personal Independence Payments (PIP) fail to win their appeals, or are paid at the lowest rate.

Around 25% of all DLA claimants who live in Pembrokeshire have been refused the PIP benefit.
In Wales, 30,000 of over 100,000 applicants have been refused.

PIPs are for those who need help with extra costs associated with long-term illness or disability and pays between £57.30 and £139.75 per week.

A BBC investigation covering the whole of Wales revealed this week (Aug 27) that this represents a cut of at least £87m in benefits for the whole of Wales.

But the UK government said 40% of claimants receive more money under PIP than DLA.

PIPs have been gradually replacing DLA as the main benefit for disabled or ill people since the roll out started in 2013.

Claimants of DLA have been made to undergo reassessments which are carried out by private firm Capita on behalf of the UK government.

To be awarded PIP, the claimant must undergo an assessment – which can include a face-to-face appointment – to decide how someone’s illness or disability impacts on the cost of their day-to-day lives.

The DWP said many people on the old DLA benefit were not assessed for years, whereas PIP assesses people regularly to ensure they receive the right level of help.

A DWP spokesperson said: “We’re committed to ensuring that disabled people get the full support that they need, and under PIP in Wales 40% of people are getting a higher rate of support than they were previously getting under DLA.

“Decisions are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist. 3.3 million PIP decisions have been made – and of these 9% have been appealed and 4% overturned.
“In the majority of successful appeals, decisions are overturned because people have submitted more oral or written evidence,” added the spokesperson.

Of those who appealed a refusal at tribunal, 75% were successful.

In April this year, outsourcers Atos and Capita have come under fire for the reported mishandling of as many as a third of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments they carried out. The firms received a raise for their efforts last year, raking in more than £250 million each for the controversial disability welfare checks, despite Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee recently suggesting vulnerable people had been “pushed to the brink of destitution” by the contractors’ handling of the scheme.

Every person receiving Personal PIP will have their claim reviewed, the Department for Work and Pensions said earlier this year. A total of 1.6 million of the main disability benefit claims will be reviewed, with around 220,000 people expected to receive more money.

It comes after the DWP decided not to challenge a court ruling that said changes to PIP were unfair to people with mental health conditions. The review could cost £3.7bn by 2023.

Community

St Davids Cathedral strengthens spiritual ties with St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh

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THE DEEP spiritual connection between Wales and Ireland was celebrated this St Patrick’s Day as Dean Sarah Rowland Jones of St Davids Cathedral presented prints of the icons of St David and St Patrick to Dean Shane Forster of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh (Anglican, Church of Ireland).

The presentation took place after Dean Sarah delivered a sermon at the St Patrick’s Day service in Armagh, where she spoke about the shared Christian heritage of the two patron saints and their enduring influence on the faith communities of both nations.

A legacy of faith and unity

St David and St Patrick, both pivotal figures in the early Christian church, played key roles in spreading the Gospel and establishing monastic traditions. Their legacies have continued to shape the spiritual landscapes of Wales and Ireland for centuries.

Dean Sarah reflected on these historical connections during her sermon, highlighting the common themes of faith, devotion, and service that unite the two saints. She also shared the last recorded words of St David with the congregation:

“Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things.”
“Byddwch lawen, cadwch y ffydd, a gwnewch y pethau bychain!”

These words, spoken by St David in the 6th century, remain central to the ethos of Welsh Christianity, encouraging believers to find meaning in small acts of kindness and faithfulness.

A symbolic exchange

The exchange of icon prints between the two cathedrals served as a symbol of ongoing friendship and unity between the Welsh and Irish Anglican communities. Both cathedrals hold significant historical and religious importance, drawing thousands of pilgrims each year who seek to connect with their deep Christian heritage.

Speaking about the event, Dean Sarah said: “The ties between St Davids and Armagh are more than just historical—they are deeply spiritual. We are reminded that the Christian faith transcends borders, uniting us through shared traditions, values, and a commitment to serving others.”

The service in Armagh marked yet another step in fostering a strong relationship between the two cathedrals, reinforcing the historic and spiritual bonds between Wales and Ireland.

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News

Police confirm tragic death of teenage girl in Burton

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EMERGENCY services responded to a medical emergency at a property in Burton on Saturday (Mar 15).

Dyfed-Powys Police say they received a call reporting the incident at around 4:30pm.

Tragically, a 15-year-old girl has passed away, it has been confirmed.

Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a family liaison officer.

Police have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for H.M. Coroner.

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News

Three injured in A477 crash near Cleddau Bridge

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THREE people were taken to hospital following a collision on the A477 near Cleddau Bridge on Monday (Mar 17).

The crash, which involved three vehicles, happened shortly before 9:00am between Cleddau Bridge and Honeyborough roundabout. Emergency services attended the scene, and both lanes of the road were closed for nearly two hours.

One lane reopened at 10:45am, with the road fully cleared by 10:55am.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police attended a three-vehicle road traffic collision which occurred on the A477 just before 9:00am. Three people were taken to hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.”

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