Residents in Cardiff express fear and frustration over the recent benefits cuts announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, with one individual stating they have had sleepless nights worrying about the impact. The Cardiff People’s Assembly organised a protest outside the office of Jo Stevens MP, who serves as the Secretary of State for Wales, in Roath on Wednesday evening. The protest aimed to highlight the detrimental effects of the benefit cuts on vulnerable members of society.
The UK Government’s decision to impose stricter tests for personal independence payments and freeze health-related universal credit for new claimants has sparked outrage among experts and the disabled community. Critics argue that these measures unfairly target some of the most vulnerable individuals in society. The protesters at the event in Cardiff expressed their concerns and voiced their opposition to the cuts, emphasizing the impact it would have on their lives and well-being.
Gill Morgan, a mother from Roath caring for her daughter with cerebral palsy and severe visual impairment, shared her apprehension about the changes. She highlighted the essential role that benefits play in covering crucial expenses for her family, such as specialized equipment for her daughter. The potential implications of the benefit cuts on their livelihoods and the quality of life for her daughter left Morgan feeling terrified and sleepless since the announcement.
Disabled graphic designer Joe Smythe, who battles multiple sclerosis, shed light on the financial struggles of living with a disability. Despite working from home, Smythe stressed that the current benefit system falls short in addressing the additional costs associated with his condition. He pointed out the disparity between the government’s rhetoric about supporting disabled individuals in the workforce and the lived reality of financial burdens faced by many in the disabled community.
Adam Johannes, representing the Cardiff People’s Assembly and undergoing regular hospital treatments for a visual issue, condemned the benefit cuts as exacerbating inequality and pushing disabled individuals into poverty. He criticised the government for prioritising austerity measures over addressing systemic wealth disparities in society. Johannes called for a re-evaluation of policies that disproportionately impact the most vulnerable members of society and advocated for a fairer distribution of resources.
The protest in Cardiff underscored the growing discontent and anxiety among residents facing the consequences of the benefit cuts. Participants expressed disappointment in the decisions made by the UK Government, highlighting the detrimental effects on their ability to meet basic needs and maintain their quality of life. The Cardiff People’s Assembly’s mobilisation against the cuts serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of advocating for social welfare policies that safeguard the well-being of all individuals, especially those most in need of support.