Wales and Scotland press UK ministers to scrap benefit cap before Budget

The Welsh and Scottish Governments have called on UK ministers to scrap the benefit cap, bedroom tax and freeze in local housing allowance ahead of the Budget. A joint letter to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden and Education Secretary Lucy Powell also asks for action on energy bills and further devolved powers to tackle poverty, according to the Welsh Government’s announcement on Tuesday.

Cynnal payment needs benefits protection

Welsh Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams says the planned Cynnal child payment needs UK co-operation so that families receiving it do not lose entitlement to other benefits. She is seeking an assurance that the payment would provide additional support rather than be offset elsewhere. The announcement does not set out a payment amount, eligibility rules or an application date. It does not announce that the UK Government has agreed to the requested protection.

The energy figures relate to Scotland

The governments are urging the UK to adopt a social tariff based on targeted energy bill discounts. The release cites Scottish Government modelling under which 660,000 Scottish households would receive an estimated average reduction of £700. Those figures describe the Scottish proposal. They are not a forecast for Welsh households, a universal discount or an offer that readers can apply for now.

A request for UK action

The letter follows last month’s Cardiff Agreement between the two governments. Williams says Welsh measures such as expanded funded childcare and a new child poverty strategy need support from decisions that remain at UK level. The immediate development is the joint request to UK ministers. Any Budget decision changing benefit rules, energy support or treatment of Cynnal will need to be checked against the UK Government’s subsequent announcements.