Community

Committee calls for rethink of ‘deeply concerning’ welfare cuts

Published

10 months 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

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

13 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.