Welsh Government Minister backs Adferiad’s Cost of Living Campaign

We are pleased to announce the launch of our 2023 Summer Campaign – ‘Time To Take Control’.

Launched by Jane Hutt MS, Minster for Social Justice, and Adferiad’s Chief Executive Alun Thomas; we are responding to clients, families, staff, and volunteers, who share one overwhelming priority for 2023 and beyond – how to get through the cost-of living crisis safely and in good health.

At the launch, Jane Hutt MS said: “I would like to congratulate Adferiad’s initiative and vision for this campaign throughout the summer, we’ve been through the cold winter months, but in terms of the pressures in people’s lives, we know how difficult it is for so many people, especially the most vulnerable and that’s why Adferiad’s services are so important.

“This campaign will help people receive the practical and personal support to navigate the cost-of-living crisis.

“The current crisis, following on from the pandemic, has had a profound effect on the resilience of people and their communities across Wales. The amount of money people have coming in, no longer covers the costs of basic essentials for life.

“The message from Welsh Government is that no single organisation can tackle the crisis alone and we need to work together to support our most vulnerable citizens and back our communities through this challenging time.

“Your campaign really embodies this, by being good neighbours and helping those around us, we can all make a difference, especially to the most vulnerable.

“Currently 1 in 5 households has a deficit budget, meaning their disposable income isn’t enough to cover their essential bills, which inevitably leads to debt and people living with debt are more likely to experience mental health problems.

“Investing in our advice services to ensure people receive the advice and help they need, as early as possible, is crucial.

“Figures have shown that 80% of people accessing single advice services came from a priority group, while 64% reported they were disabled or had a long-term health condition.

“We have to recognise the specialist services, in particular those supporting mental health and Adferiad’s campaign recognises the key levers for tackling poverty.

“We need to work together as partners to maximise the impact of our collective efforts.”

Our Ten Point Plan:

Throughout the summer campaign Adferiad will be working with UK and Welsh partners who share our campaign goals including Carers Wales and the St Giles Trust.

We will also be engaging constructively with key agencies nationally and locally, including the Department for Work and Pensions and Local Authorities, to facilitate dialogue and enhance their understanding and response to our clients’ needs.

The UK Government needs to:

1. Ensure benefits for people with a disability or long-term sickness rise with inflation (inflation for people living in poverty is much higher because fuel costs represent a higher than average proportion of their spending – so this need to be factored in); also, implement a fairer and more easily accessible Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process which gets help to people quickly
2. Restore the £20 additional weekly uplift on Universal Credit which was so helpful during the height of the Covid pandemic
3. Improve financial support for carers, recognising the cost benefit of carers being able to play their role in providing support
4. Long-term: start a national conversation about the future of benefits, with the goal of improving the lives of people who are at risk and depend on benefits
5. Ramp up help for those with mental health and addiction problems who are ready to become economically active – improving support, training and incentives while not pressurising those unable to work

The Welsh Government needs to:

6. Promote further the need to ensure that all those using secondary mental health services have an effective Care and Treatment Plan in place and that these include the outcomes to be achieved and what services are to be provided, or actions taken, under the ‘Finance and Money’ section
7. Ensure that all adults at risk and their carers – and families of at-risk children – have easy and timely access to advice and advocacy relating to money management and debt

The Welsh voluntary sector needs to:

8. Prioritise support for people at risk who are most affected by poverty, including providing advice and support or facilitating access to support by specialists
9. Provide a voice for people at risk so that their needs are heard by both the UK and Welsh Governments

And all of us can:

10. Be good neighbours. Helping those around us can make a big difference, whether that means donating to a food bank or just helping an individual or family whom you know.

To find out more about our campaign, please Click Here.