Shadow Social Justice Minister and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has once again challenged the Welsh Government on the actions it is taking to establish a coherent and integrated Welsh Benefits System for all the means-tested benefits it is responsible for.
Last October in the Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal for a Take-up of Benefits Bill, Mr Isherwood questioned Ministers on progress regarding this, and in this afternoon’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament he raised the issue again with the Social Justice Minister, referring to the findings of a Bevan Foundation report published last month.
He said:
“Last month's Bevan Foundation report on a ‘Common Approach to Welsh Benefits’ stated that they ‘have long called for a single framework of grants and allowances termed a Welsh Benefits System'; that ‘this system would remove the complex and confusing application process and has the potential to lift people out of poverty’; that their findings demonstrate that ‘establishing a Welsh Benefits System is feasible in terms of data and that millions of pounds of unclaimed benefits could support those on low incomes’; and that ‘The regulations governing Welsh benefits are set by the Welsh Government, so it Is within its power to introduce regulatory amendment to facilitate greater uniformity’.
“How do you therefore respond to these findings, and what action are you now taking further to the Debate last year and to the report last month?”
Mr Isherwood pointed out that the regulations governing Welsh benefits are set by the Welsh Government and this relates to a Welsh Benefits System for the benefits already within the Welsh Government’s gift.
He added; “I would appreciate a statement to the Senedd telling us whether the Welsh Government is going to proceed with introducing at least a pilot, and, hopefully, a full Welsh Benefits System for those benefits.”
