Meetings

NDM6549 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Expresses concern about the roll out of universal credit.

2. Believes that administrative control over welfare should be devolved so that the Welsh Government can alter the frequency of payments, end the culture of sanctions, and ensure payments to individuals not households.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Acknowledges concern about the roll-out of universal credit.

2. Welcomes the principles behind universal credit, which are to give people a helping hand into work, and notes that when the Centre for Social Justice envisaged universal credit it found that most people claiming benefits wanted to work but were held back by a system that did not incentivise employment.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 2 and insert new points:

Notes the devastating impact on vulnerable families of anxiety, debt, homelessness and mental ill-health caused by the roll-out of universal credit which is putting significant pressure on devolved public services.

Believes that it is an important founding principle of the welfare state that risks should be shared equitably across society and that control over welfare costs, payments and administration should therefore be undertaken at a UK level.

Calls on the UK Government to reverse its damaging cuts to welfare, to pause the universal credit roll-out and address the fundamental concerns being raised.

The item started at 17.28

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6549 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Expresses concern about the roll out of universal credit.

2. Believes that administrative control over welfare should be devolved so that the Welsh Government can alter the frequency of payments, end the culture of sanctions, and ensure payments to individuals not households.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Acknowledges concern about the roll-out of universal credit.

2. Welcomes the principles behind universal credit, which are to give people a helping hand into work, and notes that when the Centre for Social Justice envisaged universal credit it found that most people claiming benefits wanted to work but were held back by a system that did not incentivise employment.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 2 and insert new points:

Notes the devastating impact on vulnerable families of anxiety, debt, homelessness and mental ill-health caused by the roll-out of universal credit which is putting significant pressure on devolved public services.

Believes that it is an important founding principle of the welfare state that risks should be shared equitably across society and that control over welfare costs, payments and administration should therefore be undertaken at a UK level.

Calls on the UK Government to reverse its damaging cuts to welfare, to pause the universal credit roll-out and address the fundamental concerns being raised.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6549 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Expresses concern about the roll out of universal credit.

2. Notes the devastating impact on vulnerable families of anxiety, debt, homelessness and mental ill-health caused by the roll-out of universal credit which is putting significant pressure on devolved public services.

3. Believes that it is an important founding principle of the welfare state that risks should be shared equitably across society and that control over welfare costs, payments and administration should therefore be undertaken at a UK level.

4. Calls on the UK Government to reverse its damaging cuts to welfare, to pause the universal credit roll-out and address the fundamental concerns being raised.

The motion as amended was agreed.