Cuts Watch Cymru
Published on 28 February 2012 11:30 AM
The people of Wales are facing the toughest challenge to their wellbeing for decades because of the economic crisis, cuts to services and reform of social security benefits.
That's the warning from Cuts Watch Cymru today - a coalition of charities in Wales, of which Age Cymru is a member, as it launches a new report.
Graeme Francis, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs says:
"The overall outlook for Wales is gloomy and 1 in 4 of us is expected to be affected by changes to the welfare benefits system.
"100,000 Welsh pensioners who are living in poverty faced the added pressure on their limited finances this winter of heating their homes.
"Many faced the ‘heating or eating' dilemma, and the reductions to the Winter Fuel Payment have bitten hard.
"Changes to Disability Living Allowance - which is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will also likely mean a reduction in payments and a drop in income for many and an added source of worry.
"244,000 people in Wales are receiving DLA, with almost half of these individuals being aged 60 or over and half of them are women.
"The UK Government must carefully consider the impact of the changes it is making on communities in Wales and avoid disproportionate impacts on specific groups of people.
"The Welsh Government, local authorities and other public bodies need to actively develop analysis and actions to mitigate the worse effects of the reforms.
"The Welsh Government should incorporate the likely impacts and possible policy responses into its new Tackling Poverty Action Plan, and new responsibilities, for example the Social Fund."