Report finds benefit reform could increase poverty in Wales
In March, the UK Government announced reforms to disability benefits and Universal Credit, leading to widespread concerns about the potential increase in poverty levels.
The Policy in Practice report projected that these changes could affect nearly 190,000 people in Wales, or 6.1 per cent of the population, with a loss to the Welsh economy of around £470 million.
It has now been found that these changes could dramatically increase the levels of poverty among the affected households in Wales.
According to the same report, more disabled people are also set to fall into poverty as a result of these changes.
Even though the government's efforts to get more disabled people into work may lessen the impact of the cuts, the study suggests that affected households will still be more than twice as likely to be living in poverty compared to the current rates.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy (poverty) at the Bevan Foundation, said: "These new findings make for incredibly grim reading.
"It is clear that, without a rethink, the UK Government's proposed reforms to the benefits system will have a particularly severe impact on poverty in Wales, making life harder for thousands of disabled people."
Deven Ghelani, director and founder of Policy in Practice, urged local authorities to prepare for the rising levels of poverty.
He said: "This research lays bare the sharp rise in hardship many disabled people in Wales could soon face.
"Local authorities need to prepare for the increase in poverty these reforms will trigger, but the data also shows they are not powerless.
"By using insights like these, councils can target support."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business News Wales
3 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Business News Wales Launches ‘Sport Business' Section in Partnership with Leading Welsh Sporting Bodies
Business News Wales has today announced the launch of a new editorial section titled 'Sport Business', developed in collaboration with some of the country's most influential sporting organisations including Glamorgan Cricket, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), the Football Association of Wales (FAW), and the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation. Launching this September, the new section will feature a dedicated podcast series and email newsletter, providing an independent, authoritative platform to explore the increasingly vital role of sport within the Welsh economy, a sector that contributes over £1 billion annually to Wales' GDP. While the cultural and social impact of sport is widely recognised, its contribution to economic development, employment, tourism, education, infrastructure investment, and community regeneration remains underrepresented within economic policy. Business News Wales' new Sport Business section aims to change that. The Welsh independent publisher's editorial expansion into Wales' sports ecosystem will explore the strategic influence of sport on economic outcomes. Through in-depth features, interviews with senior leaders, and thought leadership from across the sporting ecosystem, the section will highlight the sector's unique strengths, including its naturally resilient individuals, its high-performance mindset, and its ability to inspire and unite communities across Wales. 'Sport is one of Wales' greatest strategic assets, not just culturally, but economically,' said Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales. 'Having started my own career in sports marketing in Rugby League over 25 years ago, I understand first-hand the values it instils – resilience, leadership, teamwork – all of which are vital as Wales looks to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead. 'We believe that Wales' sporting professionals, from retired athletes to those currently competing at the elite level, have an untapped role to play in shaping our economic future. If we can build a meaningful bridge between the sporting and business communities, we'll unlock a mindset that could give Wales a genuine competitive edge.' The editorial expansion will also explore new opportunities for collaboration between sport, business, and government, particularly where sport can support regeneration, skills development, and raise Wales' profile on the global stage. In addition, it will examine the innovation and entrepreneurship emerging from the sector, including the adoption of new technologies, investments in infrastructure, and the growing focus on performance, data, and wellbeing. Abi Tierney, CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union, said: 'Sport is a major driver of social impact, economic growth and national identity here in Wales, yet too often the depth of that contribution doesn't get the recognition it deserves. The launch of the Sport Business section by Business News Wales is a hugely positive step forward. It gives sporting organisations like the WRU, and our colleagues across all codes, a dedicated platform to engage meaningfully with the business community and government. Having a consistent and credible channel to share our stories, showcase our impact, and advocate for future investment is vital as we continue to evolve sport's role in Welsh society. We're proud to support this initiative and look forward to working together to amplify the voice of sport organisations in Wales.' Dan Cherry, CEO of Glamorgan Cricket, said: 'Cricket in Wales is re-emerging as a powerful force for good, not just on the pitch, but across our communities, our local economy, and our culture. From grassroots participation to elite competition, the game is growing rapidly and delivering real value to people's lives. 'At Glamorgan Cricket, we're proud of the role we play in that wider ecosystem, and equally proud of the commercial success story that's taking shape behind the scenes, whether that's increasing attendances, bringing a more diverse audience to the game, expanding our corporate hospitality offer, or the growing reputation of Sophia Gardens as a premier venue for business events and private hire. That's why the launch of the Sport Business channel is so important. It gives us and our peers across Welsh sport a consistent and professional platform to amplify our success, connect with business and government stakeholders, and collectively tell the story of how sport is shaping a better future for Wales. We welcome this initiative and look forward to playing a key role in its growth.' Noel Mooney, CEO of the Football Association of Wales, said: 'Football is a powerful economic and social engine for Wales, from the grassroots game to our national teams, the sport supports jobs, drives tourism, unites communities, and inspires the next generation. At the FAW, we've seen firsthand how football can shape national pride and local prosperity. That's why the launch of the Sport Business channel is so important. It gives us and our partners in sport a professional, independent platform to communicate directly with our stakeholders, whether in government, business, or the wider community. This will be pivotal in telling the full story of football's contribution to the Welsh economy and ensuring sport continues to be recognised as a key pillar of Wales' future.' Sameer Rahman, Non-Executive Director at FAW, Glamorgan Cricket and Millennium Stadium, said: 'For too long, the economic impact of sport in Wales has been underrepresented in mainstream business and policy conversations. I felt strongly that our major sporting organisations needed a dedicated, credible platform, not just to share their individual stories, but to come together with a collective voice that reflects the scale and significance of sport's contribution to the Welsh economy. This new Sport Business channel will give us exactly that. It creates a unified space for collaboration, visibility, and influence, helping us better engage with government, the private sector, and wider society. I applaud Business News Wales for identifying this gap and moving swiftly to create a solution that will benefit the founder organisations involved in this new initiative.' The new Sport Business section on Business News Wales will launch on Monday, 8th September. To sign up for its sport in business newsletter, click here
North Wales Live
5 hours ago
- North Wales Live
House prices go up in one county with more increases expected across region
House prices in one North Wales county have increased with further rises across the region expected. Latest industry figures show they have risen in Flintshire, going up by 3.3% in the second quarter of 2025, to an average price of £238,455. The figures have been released from Principality Building Society's Wales House Price Index for Q2 2025 (April to June), which demonstrates the rise and fall in house prices in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. Wales' largest building society's report also shows that there was also a 5.2% annual increase in average house prices in Flintshire, from the second quarter in 2024, where an average property cost £226,622. In the first quarter of 2025, an average property in Flintshire cost £230,902 - an increase in the second quarter of £7,553. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The average price of a home sold in Wales was £238,098 in the second quarter of 2025, showing a 0.7% increase from the same period last year and just 4.6% below its peak of £249,000 at the end of 2022. Despite ongoing affordability pressures, the steady rise in the number of transactions - which reached over 10,000 in the second quarter (up 13% on last year) - suggests growing buyer confidence despite persistent cost-of-living challenges and elevated rates. Speaking about the Q2 House Price Index, Iain Mansfield, Chief Financial Officer at Principality Building Society, said: 'The housing market in Wales continued to stabilise in the second quarter of 2025, with prices holding broadly flat compared to the start of the year. Encouragingly, the steady increase in transaction volumes signals increasing confidence among buyers. "While market conditions remain challenging, a downward trend in mortgage rates is helping to create a more favourable environment for buyers. This shift is contributing to a gradual uplift in consumer confidence as we move into the second half of 2025.' According to analysis of HM Land Registry data, there were over 10,000 property transactions in Wales during the second quarter. This marks a 13% rise compared to the same period last year, reflecting a trend in year-on-year recovery in property sales. Flintshire saw higher prices than neighbouring counties Conwy and Denbighshire, which both saw slight drops in average house prices for the second quarter this year. Conwy saw a fall of 1.7%, to £231,282, while Denbighshire's figures fell slightly to £219,004. However, Wrexham saw a slight increase, on the quarter, with an average price of £217,998 - an increase of 0.2% annually. Iain added: 'As a business, we remain focused on being part of the solution when it comes to the demand pressures within the Welsh housing market. As of this year, we're proud to support 19 of 32 housing associations in Wales - aiming to remove barriers to help support everyone to have a place to call home. "As the report demonstrates, price growth has eased this quarter. Looking ahead, we expect the market to gain momentum. A significant factor will be improving affordability which goes hand in hand with consumer confidence increasing - especially for first-time buyers. (This is) driven by falling interest rates and more favourable mortgage terms, likely boosting demand. "With demand rising and supply remaining a challenge for buyers across the country, we anticipate renewed market activity in the second half of the year.'
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dark underbelly of UK's new City of Culture plagued by soaring unemployment, ‘spiced-up' druggies & ‘roaming XL Bullies'
See the top 20 areas for unemployment below DOLED OUT Dark underbelly of UK's new City of Culture plagued by soaring unemployment, 'spiced-up' druggies & 'roaming XL Bullies' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CLOSED shops litter the ailing high street and "spiced up" junkies stumble around like zombies or openly inject drugs in dingy doorways. Bradford - this year's UK City of Culture - has a dark underbelly of high unemployment, petty crime and illegal substance abuse. 19 A man slouches on a bench in Bradford city centre, apparently heavily intoxicated Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Two large Bully type dogs are walked across a road without leads Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Student Vanessa Soydere, 18, came to the city from Turkey 13 years ago and hopes to find work there after she qualifies Credit: NB PRESS LTD It comes after The Sun laid bare the UK's unemployment capitals, with the Labour government telling thousands of Brits: those who can work should get a job. In May, the West Yorkshire city had 26,070 people claiming unemployment benefits, a rise on not only this time last year but also the previous month. Outside of London, it's only behind Birmingham (10.6%) and Luton (7.7%) for joblessness stats. Known as the "wool capital of the world" in its Victorian boom era, it's had a sad fall from grace. Locals complain that jobs are hard to find as high street stores, banks, and pubs close. JOB CENTRE Former ventilation fitter Timmy worked on the Broadway Shopping Mall opposite the Jobcentre before he was sent to prison and lost his livelihood. 'I've gone to the Jobcentre today because I've just got out of jail and want to get back to work,' he told The Sun. 'I'm normally self-employed, I'm a skilled air conditioning ventilation fitter, but it's looking to be pretty hard finding work in Bradford at the moment. The UK's top 10 unemployment hotspots This data, compiled by the ONS, shows the percentage of people in the Claimant Count for unitary and local authorities in the UK. The Claimant Count refers to the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits, primarily Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit, who are required to seek work. Birmingham (10.6%) Newham (8.5%) Barking and Dagenham (8.5%) Haringey (8.2) Brent (8.2%) Enfield (7.8%) Luton (7.7%) Bradford (7.5%) Hackney (7.5%) Waltham Forest (7.4%) Lewisham (7.3%) Wolverhampton (7.3%) Ealing (7.2%) Sandwell (7.2%) Tower Hamlets (7.2%) Oldham 7.0 % Croydon (6.9%) Slough (6.6%) Redbridge (6.5%) Lambeth (6.5%) 'Most of my work would be away from the city anyway. I've got all my tickets, fork-lift licence, driving licence, wagon driving licence, etc. 'I'm obviously looking for work but it is not easy. 'Them lot in the Jobcentre are offering jobs on basic wages in factories and stuff, but I'm skilled and I have a trade.' More than 1 MILLION migrants are claiming Universal Credit in Britain – with majority unemployed Unemployment in Bradford represents a 7.5 per cent rate, according to the latest figures. That is an increase of 230 claimants compared to the previous month and 420 compared to May 2024. The UK unemployment rate for people aged 16+ was 4.7 per cent in March-May 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. Darley Street Market A recent boon for Bradford is the state-of-the art Darley Street Market, which opened its doors last weekend. The new market was buzzing with vendors and customers alike during The Sun's visit, and it had a vibrant atmosphere. It also has provided work for many Bradfordians, including Demi-Leigh Turner, 24, who is delighted to be behind the counter at Jake's Bakehouse in the market having been unemployed prior to its opening. 'It's brilliant to be working there and we are really busy,' said Demi-Leigh. 'It has been hard work, there is a lot of footfall at the market, but I'm loving it. 19 The new Darley Street Market opened this month Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Demi Leigh Turner works at the market and praised the opportunities there Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 There a multiple vacant business premises in the city centre Credit: NB PRESS LTD 'This is a real success story for Bradford. Everybody in there is happy.' However, just outside the market on a street bench on Darley Street was a "spiced-up" man in a drugged-up stupor, making an upsetting and unnerving sight for shoppers and parents with young children. Up the road, towards the old Oastler Shopping Centre and Market, which is now shuttered up due to the new relocation, there are down-and-outs hanging around. Two scruffy and skeletal men were wandering the streets, roll-up in hand and accompanied by a pair of XL bully-type dogs, off their leash. Another seemingly homeless guy was trying to flog a TV to passers-by. Bradford as City of Culture 2025 Bradford was named the UK City of Culture for 2025 due to its rich cultural heritage, diverse communities and innovative spirit. The designation was given by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It means the West Yorkshire city gains access to funding to improve its infrastructure and arts facilities, and will continue to host events until the end of the year. Bradford won their bid in May 2022, beating County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough. More than a million people have engaged with the city's Culture projects so far this year, according to organisers. Its outdoor opening ceremony featured a performance by magician Stephen Frayne. The UK City of Culture programme began in 2013. Approaching our reporter with the screen in his arms, he asked for £10 for the goods. Beggers linger at traffic lights on busy junctions intimidating waiting motorists into handing over cash. And junkies openly take drugs in dingy shop doorways and litter-strewn alleyways before crashing out on benches or seeking out another store to shoplift. On Kirkgate, a once bustling shopping street, numerous loafers were hanging about swigging booze from cans and shouting at each other. One man had emptied the industrial bin beside the British Heart Foundation charity store and was messily rummaging through its contents. 19 A group of people drink alcohol Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Locals say the alcohol and drug problem in the city centre is getting worse Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Locals say they can't find work with businesses closing down Credit: NB PRESS LTD A charity shop volunteer said:'He doesn't care if he is making a mess. He is often doing this to look for things to sell on to buy drugs. 'He is very aggressive on some days. 'As soon as we put the bins out he is at them. He's after the coat hangers, they might fetch him a few quid." There was a distinct absence of any police officers patrolling the city centre. Cops raid large cannabis farm in landmark building By Mark Lister POLICE found a large cannabis farm at a landmark Bradford city centre building over the weekend. West Yorkshire Police were called to reports of a burglary at Sunwin House on Sunday. On arrival, a large cannabis farm was found. A 36-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B, remains in police custody. Enquiries remain ongoing at the scene. Police attention has been focused on the side of the building, near Goit Side, with several force vehicles and an extensive cordon in place. A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B, he remains in police custody at this time. "Police were called to reports of a burglary on Sunbridge Road. "On arrival, officers located a large cannabis farm. Enquiries remain ongoing at the scene." Sunwin House dates back to the 1930s, when it was constructed as a Co-operative emporium. More recently, it was used as a TJ Hughes department store and awarded a Grade II listing for its architectural significance. Since TJ Hughes shut its doors 15 years ago, the building has been mainly empty. But some locals still like the place. Former squaddie Jonny James, 32, was born and bred in Bradford and described living there as 'bloody brilliant'. 'I can't work at the moment though, due to my disability,' he says brandishing his badly scarred left arm which he damaged in a car crash. 'Before the accident I was in the Army, Royal Artillery. I'm on the sick now though. 'I don't mind living in Bradford, it has its good and bad sides, like a lot of places. 19 The shutdown Wilko store is among the major franchises having left the city Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 A man searches through litter from a large industrial bin Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Many residents say the city is rundown and there are few jobs to be had Credit: NB PRESS LTD 'I love the place because of the people.' Student Madison Kirby, 16, said: "There are not many opportunities for employment in the city centre as all the shops are shutting down. 'There are too many people and not enough jobs in Bradford.' Another student Vanessa Soydere, 18, came to the city from Turkey 13 years ago. 'I hope to find work in Bradford when I have finished my studies,' she said. 'Coming from Turkey to Bradford was obviously a bit different, but I've got used to it now. 'There are obviously some things that go on which are not nice and you do see some sights.' The Sun has approached Bradford City Council for comment. 19 Bradford is this year's city of culture, meaning it has access to extra funding to improve infrastructure Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 A beggar approaches motorists at traffic lights Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Student Madison Kirby, 16, said there are not many opportunities for employment in the city centre as all the shops are shutting down Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Parts of the city centre are very rundown Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Former squaddie Jonny James, 32, was born and bred in Bradford but is currently unable to work due to disability Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Former ventilation fitter Timmy Firth has just come out of prison and is looking for work Credit: NB PRESS LTD
