02-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Gwynedd and Anglesey MPs vote against ‘cruel' welfare bill
MPs voted through the government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill by 335 votes to 260 yesterday, but only after offering late concessions to Labour rebels.
The government also revealed another U-turn by saying it would not change PIP rules until it had time to consider recommendations and conclusions made by an impending review.
Llinos Media (Ynys Môn) and Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) were among the 260 MPs who voted against the bill in Parliament yesterday.
Ms Medi also highlighted her disappointment that only one Welsh Labour MP (Steve Witherden, Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr) voted against the bill.
She said: 'We must do more to help disabled people to play their fullest possible role in society. Cutting support is not the way to do that.
'Last night's chaos in Parliament proved the government should have pulled the welfare bill and paused. You can't build durable policy by making it up as you go along.
'Disabled people were outside pleading to be heard - but only one Welsh Labour MP voted against. Many will feel disappointed.'
All 335 MPs who voted in favour of the bill were from the Labour party, while 55 abstained.
PIP is paid to England and Wales residents who have difficulty completing everyday tasks due to a long-term physical or mental health condition.
It is not means-tested and is available to people who are working, but its eligibility criteria is proposed to be tightened from November 2026.
MPs will continue to scrutinise the bill when it returns to the House of Commons on July 9.
Ms Saville Roberts added: 'Plaid Cymru MPs listened to disabled people and voted against the welfare bill last night. This bill was cruel from the outset and remains unfit for purpose.
'Shambolic is the only word to describe yesterday's debate. A panicked U-turn midway through the debate exposed Labour's complete lack of direction.
'These measures will hit Welsh communities hardest - yet the vast majority of Welsh Labour MPs nodded them through.
'Plaid Cymru have consistently opposed these cruel welfare reforms, recognising that targeting the most vulnerable is both morally indefensible and economically short-sighted.'
