Heledd Fychan Canol De Cymru - South Wales Central

On 14 May 2025, a debate in the Senedd was brought forward by Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, focused on the deepening crisis of hunger and financial hardship throughout Wales.

Recent figures reveal that food banks across Wales distributed 187,458 emergency food parcels during the 2023/24 period—a 61% increase compared to 2018/19. Individual centres reported significant surges in demand. For example, the Pontypridd Foodbank recorded a 157% increase in parcels dispensed, while Cardiff Foodbank distributed more than 20,000 parcels. These statistics reflect a broader pattern of extreme financial pressure as many households struggle to cover everyday essentials.

The debate highlighted that the current welfare system is failing to meet the real cost of living. With Universal Credit payments averaging only £92 a week for a single adult, which falls far below what is needed to cover food, household bills, and daily travel only pushing people further into hardship. Additionally, proposed cuts to disability benefits risk plunging an even greater number of vulnerable individuals into hardship. Currently, people living in disabled families in Wales already face a higher risk of hunger and hardship—with 16% affected compared to the 11% among non-disabled families—leaving approximately 230,000 people in a family with a disabled adult or child exposed to hunger and hardship.

During the debate there was a call to introduce an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit, the focus of a campaign led by Trussell and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which would ensure the basic rate of Universal Credit was set according to the true cost of food, bills, and travel and protect people from going without the essentials. Trussell's analysis suggests that this measure could reduce the risk of hunger and hardship for 138,000 people by 2027 and save the Welsh economy £1.5 billion in public service costs. Other proposals include removing the two-child limit on benefits, extending Free School Meals for all families on Universal Credit, and introducing an enhanced child payment.

Commenting after the debate, Heledd Fychan MS said: "The growing reliance on food banks proves our welfare system is failing. We need urgent change to ensure no one in Wales has to choose between basic needs and survival. Poverty is not inevitable and there are actions that can be taken. I call on the UK and Welsh Labour Governments to take bold action to reform welfare.”