Meetings

NDM7772 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Opposes the UK Government's proposal to scrap the £20 uplift in universal credit, which has been a vital helpline for families in Wales during the pandemic.

2. Recognises that a higher proportion of families in Wales will be affected by the cut to universal credit than the UK average according to the Bevan Foundation.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) pursue the devolution of welfare in order to tackle poverty in Wales.

b) publish a robust and meaningful plan to tackle poverty that contains clear performance targets and indications to measure progress.

c) maintain flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund in order to mitigate the impact of any universal credit reduction on people in Wales.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Welcomes the UK Government's decision to provide an extra £20 per week in universal credit to support those on low incomes during the coronavirus pandemic and recognises that this temporary measure has already been extended from 12 to 18 months.

Amendment 2. Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Regrets that poverty levels in Wales are higher than in other parts of the UK due to the failure of successive Welsh Governments.

Amendment 3. Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

3. Notes the income maximisation work done by the Welsh Government to support families on low incomes.

4. Urges the Welsh Government to:

a) continue to explore the case for the devolution of the administration of welfare; and

b) maintain the current flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund to mitigate the impact of any universal credit reduction and the ending of furlough on people in Wales.

[If amendment 3 is agreed, amendments 4 and 5 will be de-selected]

Amendment 4. Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete sub-point 3(a) and replace with:

a) work with the UK Government to tackle poverty in Wales, by maximising the opportunities presented by funding opportunities and regional growth deals across Wales;

Amendment 5. Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete everything after 'fund' in sub-point 3(c).

The item started at 16.23

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7772 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Opposes the UK Government's proposal to scrap the £20 uplift in universal credit, which has been a vital helpline for families in Wales during the pandemic.

2. Recognises that a higher proportion of families in Wales will be affected by the cut to universal credit than the UK average according to the Bevan Foundation.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) pursue the devolution of welfare in order to tackle poverty in Wales.

b) publish a robust and meaningful plan to tackle poverty that contains clear performance targets and indications to measure progress.

c) maintain flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund in order to mitigate the impact of any universal credit reduction on people in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	41	54

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Welcomes the UK Government's decision to provide an extra £20 per week in universal credit to support those on low incomes during the coronavirus pandemic and recognises that this temporary measure has already been extended from 12 to 18 months.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	40	54

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Regrets that poverty levels in Wales are higher than in other parts of the UK due to the failure of successive Welsh Governments.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	40	54

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3. Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

3. Notes the income maximisation work done by the Welsh Government to support families on low incomes.

4. Urges the Welsh Government to:

a) continue to explore the case for the devolution of the administration of welfare; and

b) maintain the current flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund to mitigate the impact of any universal credit reduction and the ending of furlough on people in Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	11	16	54

Amendment 3 was agreed.

As amendment 3 was agreed, amendments 4 and 5 were de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7772 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Opposes the UK Government's proposal to scrap the £20 uplift in universal credit, which has been a vital helpline for families in Wales during the pandemic.

2. Recognises that a higher proportion of families in Wales will be affected by the cut to universal credit than the UK average according to the Bevan Foundation.

3. Notes the income maximisation work done by the Welsh Government to support families on low incomes.

4. Urges the Welsh Government to:

a) continue to explore the case for the devolution of the administration of welfare; and

b) maintain the current flexibility around the discretionary assistance fund to mitigate the impact of any universal credit reduction and the ending of furlough on people in Wales.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
40	0	14	54

The motion as amended was agreed.