Coalition Cuts Hurt the Poorest

The UK government announced this month it’s Comprehensive Spending Review. The cuts we face over the next four years will be very challenging. The settlement for Wales will hit the country hard, as we are already underfunded £300 million a year and now Wales suffers the largest reduction in any of the Devolved Administration’s budgets.

Vital services that benefit those living in Wales are coming under attack because of the savage cuts agenda. It is Labour Assembly Members that will fight hard to make sure that our limited budget is now spread fairly, something the ConDem government cannot say.

The spending review has already been criticised by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) as being unfair, after we learnt that those on the lowest 10% of income will be significantly affected. Those living in Neath will now feel the effect of the devastating welfare cuts, which will have both long and short-term consequences for the most vulnerable people in our society.

Those currently employed in the public sector now fear for their jobs and those currently unemployed or in full time education are worried that there is little opportunity to find work in the future. The spending review is reckless and is being carried out for ideological reasons.

The government does not have to cut this deep or this fast to handle the UK deficit, which came after the banking crisis. I will make sure Neath’s voice is being heard in the Assembly and act as a buffer against the coalitions’ attack.