Mae Sioned Williams AS yn ysgrifennu am yr angen i Gymru gael ei chyfran deg, ac i sicrhau'r pwerau sydd eu hangen i wir wella bywydau ei dinasyddion
Cyhoeddwyd yr erthygl hon yn y Glamorgan Gazette ar ddydd Iau 12 Rhagfyr 2024 (yn Saesneg).
Why Wales needs a fairer funding formula
Last month I wrote about the devastating impact of the UK Budget on some of our most vulnerable citizens.
By retaining the callous two-child benefit cap, Welsh children will continue to be punished for the size of their family and trapped in poverty. And by failing to reverse the decision to withdraw the winter fuel allowance, Welsh pensioners will foot the bill for spending plans that could and should have been shouldered by billionaires.
This matters in Wales, and should matter very much to Welsh Government, because these decisions will inevitably increase their spending. Under-nourished children, and pensioners in cold homes will result in poorer health, and the demand on our NHS and care services will inevitably increase.
The Scottish SNP Government has already taken steps to stand up for their citizens affected by this continuation of austerity under UK Labour: they’ve promised to scrap the two child benefit cap and replace lost winter fuel allowance to older people not in receipt of pension credit.
They’re able to do this because of two very important factors: They have power over their welfare system, and they get a good deal from the formula that determines how much goes to each of the devolved administrations, meaning Scotland has more money to spend.
Scotland has shown how these powers and funding can be used to better serve their people and protect them from unfair Westminster policies. Plaid Cymru has consistently fought for more powers for Wales, and to make the funding formula fairer for this very reason.
I spoke in a Senedd debate earlier this week calling for Wales to have – at least – the same powers as Scotland. Because, with the same powers as Scotland, Welsh Government could take steps now to reverse the cuts to the winter fuel payment, remove the cruel two child cap, and stop the added pressure on our health services that will inevitably follow.
Wales deserves its fair share and we need to secure the powers needed to truly improve the lives of people who live here, starting by keeping our oldest citizens warm this winter.