The Hardest Hit Cymru rally and march

Demonstrators will be marching through Cardiff city centre on Saturday 22 October to protest against UK Government plans to cut disability benefits. 

The event is being organised by the Hardest Hit Cymru campaign - which Age Cymru is supporting, as part of a series of UK-wide demonstrations taking place that day against the Welfare Reform Bill.

Rhian Davies, co-Chair of the Hardest Hit Cymru campaign says:

"The Welfare Reform Bill will cost disabled people in Wales an estimated £450 million* over four years.

"Although the Bill hasn't been passed yet, it is already casting a shadow of fear over communities across Wales.

"Cuts to essential benefits such as Disability Living Allowance and Employment & Support Allowance will hit disabled people, those with long-term health conditions and their families hard.   

"This is why the Hardest Hit Cymru is organising this rally to send a clear message to the UK Government to stop these cuts".

Organisers are expecting up to 5,000 people from across Wales at the event on Saturday 22 October, which begins with a rally outside Cardiff City Hall at 12.30.

Marchers will then proceed into Cardiff city centre along the Hayes and back up through High Street.

Sarah Rochira, the Hardest Hit Cymru's co-Chair says:"Wales has the highest proportion of disabled people in the UK, with more than one in five of the working age population living with a disability, so as a nation we really are at risk of being hardest hit by these cuts.

"As well as the impact on individuals, society as a whole benefits when disabled people are able to live full and independent lives.

"Cutting the benefits and services that enable people to do so will disadvantage Wales economically, socially and culturally.

"I'm delighted that politicians of all political persuasions will be attending the demonstration and will be looking for their commitment that they will do all they can to ensure we are not hardest hit by these cuts."

"The Welfare Reform Bill is currently at Committee stage in the House of Lords, but we can still stop it becoming law.

"Please come along and show your support for disabled people and their families who will be amongst the ‘hardest hit' by government benefit changes by joining the  rally on 22 October.

"You can also support our campaign today by writing to your Assembly Member or Member of Parliament or join our online protest at www.thehardesthit.org.uk."

The Hardest Hit Cymru campaign brings together leading Welsh organisations including Action on Hearing Loss; Age Cymru; All Wales People First; Cymorth Cymru; Disability Arts Cymru; Disability Wales; Leonard Cheshire Disability; Mencap Cymru; MS Society Cymru; RNIB Cymru; Scope Cymru;
The Stroke Association - Wales; Wales Council for the Blind;

The Hardest Hit Cymru rally is the main rally in Wales, but there will be similar events in London, Belfast, Edinburgh and in cities across England.

Writer, actor, and funnyman Boyd Clack will be among the addressing the Hardest Hit Cymru rally at Cardiff City Hall on 22 October.

Visit www.hardesthit.org.uk or www.facebook.com/thehardesthit for more information on times and locations.