Overwhelming opposition to benefits cuts, Welsh ministers say

Disabled people are worried that planned cuts to disability and sickness benefits mean they will not be able to make ends meet, the Welsh government has said.

A senior Labour minister has formally expressed concerns to the UK government over its controversial welfare plans, saying opposition among disabled people was "overwhelming".

In a response to a consultation the Welsh government backed figures that £470m could be lost from the country's economy, and said disabled people were worried about an increased risk of depression and suicide.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer's government faces a significant rebellion, with large numbers of MPs supporting a bid to block the plans.

At least five Welsh Labour MPs - Chris Evans, Andrew Ranger, Steve Witherden, Henry Tufnell and Ruth Jones - are among those backing an amendment that would allow them a vote to reject the proposals.

Sir Keir has vowed to press on with the reforms, saying the current welfare system "traps people" on benefits, and was set to fuel "unsustainable" rises in the cost to taxpayers.

Jane Hutt, the Welsh government's social justice minister, said that proposed changes to personal independence payments (Pip) "should be reviewed before any changes are made".

She said the reforms had "caused significant concern here in Wales" diverting attention from proposed reforms "which could be positive".

"The strength of feeling I have witnessed from disabled people and stakeholder organisations across Wales opposing the proposed changes to the PIP eligibility criteria has been overwhelming."

"They have been concerned about not only for the disabled persons themselves but for their carers and families too".

In a letter to UK Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Hutt endorsed forecasts from Policy in Practice that nearly 190,000 people in Wales would be affected - or 6.1% of the population.

Hutt backed analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that ten of the top 30 Westminster constituencies have the highest proportion of working-age people in receipt of health related benefits.

It suggests changes will have a "disproportionate impact" in Wales, Ms Hutt said.

Hutt said she had heard from people who "are concerned that if they lost their PIP entitlement they would have to reduce their working hours or leave employment completely".

That would be contrary to the UK government's aim of supporting disabled people into employment, Hutt argued.

Hutt said she had also heard people's anxiety about facing a significant cut in their household income if they lose their Pip entitlement.

"These people hold real and understandable fears they would no longer be able to afford their everyday essential living costs, let alone the additional costs they face as a disabled person," the minister wrote.

The Welsh government said that disabled people and other organisations had raised concerns that cuts to PIP would reduce access to crucial treatments and support systems, increasing the risk of "depression, self-harm and suicide".

Pip is used to purchase additional therapies, such as counselling and physiotherapy, or used to support day-to-day well being, Hutt said.

"These purchases would no longer be affordable without Pip, leading to a deterioration in their health, wellbeing, and employment status," the consultation response said.

A survey conducted by a disabled people's organisation "indicated feelings associated with welfare reform include anger, anxiety, terror, worry, fear, suicidal thoughts and a sense of being a burden", while there was also concerns about a lack of proper consultation.

The letter gives concerns over proposals to reduce the value of the health element of universal credit, saying it will "not be an incentive to work but will increase poverty levels amongst disabled people and people with long term health conditions".

Amid suggestions that people could be sanctioned if they receive the health element and do not take part in a "support conversation", Hutt said there was evidence that "these type of sanctions do not work" and actively push people away from the Labour market.

Hutt did praise some of the proposals in the government's green paper, saying it agreed with the "principles of providing support to people into work and protecting people who cannot work".

In the Senedd on Tuesday First Minister Eluned Morgan was asked by Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth if she would urge Welsh MPs to rebel "to protect disabled people in Wales and Welsh spending".

Morgan said: "I just think we've got to be very serious about this, because this is an issue that's causing concern to a lot of people in Wales."

The Department for Work and Pensions has been asked about the letter.

A bill to be voted on next week will make it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim Pip.

An amendment has been signed by more than 130 MPs, including 120 Labour MPs. Among the Welsh Labour rebels is Chris Evans, the MP for Caerphilly.

In a letter written with his Senedd colleague for Caerphilly, Hefin David, the pair expressed "serious concerns about parts of the green paper and bill as published".

They said people will be expected to lose their existing incomes before they find new incomes through work, and criticised a lack of consultation for some of the biggest parts of the changes.

All Plaid Cymru MPs are expected to back the reasoned amendment.

Plaid Cymru Work and Pensions spokesperson, MP Ann Davies, said: "We in Plaid Cymru have opposed Labour's devastating cuts to disabled people's support from the start.

"I respect the handful of Labour MPs from Wales who have now shown their opposition."

Darren Millar, Conservative Senedd leader, said: "Labour is spending, borrowing and taxing too much. Fixing welfare has to be part of any cost-saving plans.

"Keir Starmer has lost control of his MPs. He is facing a massive rebellion and so needs Conservative support for his Welfare Bill to pass."

By Emilia Belli, BBC Wales Westminster correspondent

The Welsh MPs I've spoken to say they don't take rebelling lightly, which shows the level of concern around the welfare reforms and the impact on their constituents.

This means that despite pressure from the UK government, they are unlikely to back down unless the prime minister makes significant changes.

Despite his determination not to budge, the scale of the opposition is only increasing, with the Labour Welsh government and mayors in England now piling in too.

The question now is whether Sir Keir Starmer has enough authority to control the situation, or whether he'll have to tactically retreat before it comes to a head next week.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line.