COUNCILLORS have slammed the UK Government’s bid to slash £5billion from the benefits bill for the impact cuts could have on the “most vulnerable” residents.
Councillor Elin Hywel had asked Cyngor Gwynedd to note the “disproportionate and cumulative effects of austerity policies” on the county’s residents – the result of successive UK governments, whether Conservative or Labour.
She raised a notice of motion which was approved, during Cyngor Gwyedd’s full council meeting last Thursday (May 1).
With a proportion of 18.1% of Gwynedd’s population considered disabled, her notice stated, the people of Gwynedd would “be hit particularly hard”.
They were also less likely to be in employment with only 50.5% in paid jobs, and more likely to rely on benefits.”
She called on the council to note its “growing responsibility” to mitigate the “brutal effects of austerity policies,” through its services.
“We are seeing an increase in demand for services, such as social housing, emergency accommodation and social care, and the subsequent increasing cost of maintaining these services,” she said.
“We recognise the pressure this places on the council’s budgets,” before calling on tghe “Welsh Government to stand up for Wales and demand that their fellow Labour members in the UK Government make a U-turn on their plans to cut benefits, to ensure respect and dignity for all.
“Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government and the UK Government to adequately fund benefits and social services.”
She also requested the council “demand that the Welsh Government calls on the UK Government to devolve welfare and benefits, together with all the necessary levers to enable the Welsh Government to protect, care for and sustain our society.
“Cuts to the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit and to help with housing costs mean that the Labour Government has turned its back on the ordinary people of Gwynedd,” she said.
She had raised the issues because of the”fear and anxiety that these cruel and ideological decisions by Westminster Government” had caused many of her constituents in Pwllheli, and throughout Gwynedd.
“A welfare system that was created to protect people in crisis and support those in need is now a process that punishes people,” she said.
It was not a lack of funding that drove cuts but “a lack of political will,” she said.
“When a Government allows a beneficial tax system for the rich but fails to maintain a basic income for individuals trying to live on less than £80 a week, that is completely hypocritical.”
The motion was seconded by Cllr Delyth Lloyd Griffiths.
She had quoted Ann Davies, the Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin, who she said had stated the impact of cuts was “significantly” higher on devolved governments, with Wales “significantly” shouldering the burden of cuts.
The PIP situation (Personal Independence Payments), she said, would be “worse in Wales” due to higher numbers receiving it.
Cllr Gwynfor Owen described criticism on social media of disabled people, after comments claiming many were ‘not disabled’ or ‘needed to work.’
“If they could only be in the shoes of disabled people for one day, they would see there was a real need for these benefits and what disability entails,” he said.
Council leader Cllr Nia Jeffreys said the topic was “particularly close to her heart.” Her father had been disabled, claiming benefits, when she was a child, in the 1980s.
She remembered the “stress and worry” of the assessment process, and “stigma” of being a family living on benefits, in a council house.”
It was a time when “the Tories governed, Maggie and her crew were in power,” she said.
“Now in 2025 , there are still families and children, still living in deprivation in Gwynedd,” she said.
“I see the impact everyday with people in my ward coming to see me to get food bank vouchers, or help with benefits or homelessness.”
The problems she said were being caused by decisions taken “far away” from Gwynedd.
She urged anyone facing difficulties to seek help from the council, councillors, community hubs or through the Citizens’ Advice.
