First Minister Eluned Morgan has been slammed for failing to condemn the UK Labour Government’s two-tier welfare system reforms despite disproportionate impact on Wales.

Today (Tuesday, July 1), Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth has criticised the leader of ‘Welsh Labour’ Eluned Morgan, for having little to no influence on Welsh Labour MPs in Parliament. In response, the First Minister failed to condemn the Welsh Labour MPs who will back the proposals, which are set to push 150,000 people into poverty.

This comes after the Labour First Ministers’ speech to Welsh Labour Conference on Saturday, where she welcomed the concessions made to UK Labour’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bil.

The original changes to the welfare system were set to affect 190,000 people in Wales, with a cost of £470 million to the Welsh economy. It has been reported that 150,000 people across the UK will be pushed into poverty even with the last-minute changes made to the legislation in order to appease Labour rebels.

These comments were made following a row within Labour over the UK Government’s proposed changes to welfare, which were originally opposed by over 100 Labour MPs, only five of which were MPs from Wales.

The Plaid Cymru leader went on to accuse the First Minister of having ‘no issue’ with the concept of a ‘two-tier welfare system’ which will ‘disproportionately impact vulnerable people in Wales.

Mr ap Iorwerth went on to contrast Labour in Wales’ failure to stand up for people in Wales with the political renewal offered by Plaid Cymru, based on principle not polling, whilst accusing Labour’s policy agenda of being led by political pressure.

Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, said: “Today, Members of Parliament will be voting on Starmer’s cruel reforms to welfare. Reforms that will disproportionately impact vulnerable people in Wales, but disappointingly, only opposed by a handful of Labour MPs who represent our communities.

“Last week, I urged the First Minister to direct Labour MPs from Wales to vote against the proposals. She wouldn’t and in fact, on Sunday, she told Radio Wales that she’s only the leader of her party’s Senedd Members and that Labour MPs representing Welsh seats vote according to the Westminster whip.

“I’m interested in why the First Minister said last minute changes to the reforms to try to avoid a catastrophic vote loss were welcome concessions, even though they still push 1000s into poverty and create a 2-tier system.

“It’s clear that the First Minister has no issue with the idea of a two-tier welfare system, at least not enough to stand up to Labour MPs in Westminster.

“So In welcoming them, can we assume that the First Minister has carried out a new impact assessment? Or if she hasn’t, why is her support so unqualified when she has no idea of the harms the reforms will cause?

"The renewal offered by Plaid Cymru is of principle driven policies – not political pressure. Our priorities are not and never will be set by bosses in Westminster, but through working with our communities, for those communities. In May 2026, the people of Wales can vote for a government that will always stand up for their interests by voting Plaid Cymru.”