by David Nicholson
in Llanelli

TODAY’S Plaid Cymru debate on poverty in Wales heard calls for the welfare claim system to be devolved.

Senedd Member Sionedd Williams led the debate and said the party should focus on measures that the Welsh government could do to help families.

“Welsh Labour as the party of government has failed the people of Wales on poverty,” Ms Williams said.

“Plaid has been pushing for a cross-government approach to tackling poverty as it is clear that people with health issues are more vulnerable to the cost-of-living crisis.”

Steffan Evans from the Bevan Foundation told delegates that a third of people in Wales can afford essential goods — but that is all.

He said: “With such high levels of poverty in the country it is no surprise that our Welsh economy is stagnant.

“The causes of poverty have not changed and are not helped by a deficient benefits system.

“We need a benefits system for Wales and one that is much simpler for claimants to use.”

Frances Beecher from Youth Homeless Cymru spoke about women fleeing from domestic abuse and how difficult it is for them to access the benefit system.

“We punish the worst off and penalise them for their poverty,” she said.

"When women seek refuge they are in crisis and should not be expected to plan and have all the necessary documentation to claim benefit.”

South Wales central Senedd Member Heledd Fychan said: “Welsh ministers extol the virtues of the Future Generations Act, but the government still works in silos on poverty issues.”