Plaid Cymru have moved to seek assurances on a detailed Wales-specific impact assessment on changes to welfare cuts.

Plaid Cymru’s Ann Davies MP and Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams MS have jointly written today (Thursday, July 3) to the UK Government Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms, seeking a commitment for a Wales-specific impact assessment on the proposed welfare reforms.

The UK Government have previously refused to undertake a Wales-specific impact assessment. Research by Politics in Practice found that under the previous proposed reforms, 6% of the Welsh population would’ve been impacted by the cuts to PIP.

The UK Government have since made concessions on the Reforms which include changes to PIP now expected to be delayed until Autumn 2026, following the Timms review.

Following a meeting between the Minister of State and Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, no clarity has been given whether an impact assessment is forthcoming.

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Work and Pensions, Ann Davies MP, and spokesperson for Social Justice, Sioned Williams MS, have called for a “detailed impact assessment to be conducted as soon as possible” to understand what these changes will mean for people in Wales.

In a joint letter, Ann Davies MP and Sioned Williams MS said: “We write to express our concern about the chaotic welfare bill and the absence of information around the proposed reforms’ specific impact on Wales.

“Changes to PIP are now expected to be delayed until after a review of the benefit not due to conclude until autumn 2026. However, this was only a verbal guarantee by Ministers given during the debate on the second reading of the Bill, since put forward as a Government amendment.

“We also know that recent changes will see the health element of Universal Credit cut by £2,400 a year, with nearly all new claimants hit and claimants under the age of 22 potentially losing eligibility under Green Paper plans.

“This has left people across Wales confused and frustrated. People need transparency and certainty about how these changes will affect their lives.

“While pressed in the Senedd Chamber, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice was unable to provide any clarity on whether a commitment was given during your meeting together on Sunday 29th June that a Wales-specific impact assessment will be forthcoming.

“Given the importance of understanding how these welfare reforms will affect people in Wales, we ask for a clear assurance that a detailed impact assessment for Wales will be conducted as soon as possible.”