Welsh Government refuses to release letter about impact of PIP and Universal credit changes
On March 16, Eluned Morgan wrote to work and pensions minister Liz Kendall asking for her to provide details about the impact her proposals would have on people in Wales. By the time the Spring Statement was made, no response had been received.
In interviews after chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the changes in her Spring Statement on Wednesday, March 26, the First Minister said a lack of response was "disappointing". In an interview with WalesOnline the following day, the chancellor said it was not "usual" for such information to be shared with Welsh Government but said the UK Government was looking at "what it could do". You can read her interview in full here. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
READ MORE: First Minister Eluned Morgan to appear in live WalesOnline Q&A
READ MORE: DWP confirms payments and voucher scheme extended until 2026
When Mrs Morgan appeared in front of a Senedd committee on Friday, there was an awkward exchange when it was put to the First Minister that the Welsh secretary Jo Stevens had said she welcomed the changes. The First Minister refused to commit until she had more details.
In her letter, the First Minister had said: "I am writing in response to your plans to reform the sickness and disability benefit system. I agree the system needs to ensure it is effectively supporting people into work and offering an effective financial safety net for people who are unable to work.
"I would be appreciative if you could share with me, before the publication of your plans, any analysis which has been undertaken by your department, on the impact of changes to the benefits system as they will apply to Wales.
"I look forward to our continued dialogue as I know the Green Paper is the beginning of the conversation and not its end point. I am copying this letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer."
In an interview on the BBC Wales Politics Wales show, Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan said: " understand that she's received a response."
Plaid Cymru has called for the release of the letter, with leader Rhun ap Iorwerth saying it should be published "in full, without delay."
The Welsh Government has refused our request to see the letter, the Department of Work and Pensions has also been asked.
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