Row after only welfare cuts consultation event in Wales cancelled

A disability people’s rights group has hit out after the UK government cancelled the only in-person event it had planned in Wales to gather views on its benefit cutting plans.

Ministers are consulting on reforms to disability benefits, which could affect almost 190,000 people in Wales.

Disability Wales said the cancellation of the event in Cardiff “silences disabled people across Wales – those who would be most affected”.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the views and voices of sick and disabled people “are at the heart of our reforms”.

It said it was seeking to rearrange the meeting – an email seen by the BBC said the DWP was arranging a new Wales-only event for the end of June.

Figures from data analytics company Policy in Practice estimated that incomes of people in Wales could be cut by £466m by 2029/30 via the reforms, affecting 6% of the population.

In its consultation on the plans the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) planned to hold a series of ticketed in-person events, including one in Cardiff on Tuesday.

A copy of an email shared with the BBC from the DWP said there had been an “unexpected last minute cancellation by the venue”.

It has offered “priority space” for individuals to take part in virtual events.

Disability Wales said on social network X that it was “aghast” at the decision.

“This decision silences disabled people across Wales – those who would be most affected by these devastating changes”.

“An online alternative is no substitute for meaningful accessible face-to-face engagement”.

Sioned Williams, of Plaid Cymru, said it was “proof of Labour’s contempt towards Wales”.

A DWP spokesperson said: “We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected.

“We are working to rearrange the event in Wales as part of a series of face to face and virtual consultations, so the views and voices of sick and disabled people are at the heart of our reforms.”