Cross party support for Bevan Foundation calls for a Welsh Benefits System

Senedd votes in favour of Sioned Williams MS’ Member’s Legislative Proposal – Take-up of Benefits Bill

For a number of years the Bevan Foundation has been arguing that the various means tested grants and allowances administered by the Welsh Government and Welsh local authorities should be pulled together and reformed to create an integrated Welsh Benefits System. The Foundation were therefore delighted to see cross party support to a Member’s Legislative Proposal tabled at the Senedd on Wednesday, October 26, by Plaid Cymru MS, Sioned Williams. 

The proposed Take-up of Benefits Bill had three key provision each of which align with the Foundation’s call to establish a Welsh Benefits System:

1. To ensure that more money ends up in Welsh people’s pockets by increasing take up of Welsh and local authority support payments;
2. To place a duty on all public sector organisations to maximise take-up of Welsh and local authority benefits;
3. To require public bodies to streamline and make consistent throughout Wales the method of application for such benefits.

The vote followed closely on the heels of a meeting of the Cross Party Group on Poverty where the idea of a Welsh Benefits System was recently discussed. 

The Bevan Foundation’s work was referenced extensively during the debate. We were particularly pleased to hear the Minister for Social Justice welcome the ongoing research that Policy in Practice will be undertaking on behalf of the Bevan Foundation and others. 

Following such a warm reception to the legislative proposal we look forward to working with members of all parties to progress our work on Welsh Benefits.