1. This Council notes
the disproportionate and cumulative effects of austerity policies on the most
vulnerable inhabitants of our society by successive UK governments – whether
Conservative or Labour governments.
2. Following the UK
Government's recent announcement of further cuts to benefits totalling £5
billion, this Council recognises that these cuts are the continuation and
progression of austerity policies. With a proportion of 18.1% of Gwynedd's
population considered as being disabled, the people of Gwynedd will be hit
particularly hard by the cuts. Furthermore, people considered as disabled in
Gwynedd are less likely to be in employment, with only 50.5% in a paid job, and
are therefore more likely to rely on benefits as their only source of income.
3. The Council notes
our growing responsibility to mitigate the brutal effects of austerity policies
through the Council's services. We are seeing an increase in demand for
services such as social housing, emergency accommodation and social care, and
the subsequent increasing cost of maintaining these services. We recognise the
pressure this places on the Council's budgets.
4. For the sake of the
residents of Gwynedd, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government to stand
up for Wales and demand that their fellow Labour members in the UK Government
make a U-turn on their plans to cut benefits.
5. In
order to ensure respect and dignity for all, Cyngor Gwynedd
calls upon the Welsh Government and the UK Government to adequately fund
benefits and social services.
6. In
order to end austerity in Wales, this Council demands that the
Welsh Government calls upon the UK Government to devolve welfare and benefits,
together with all the necessary levers to enable the Welsh Government to
protect, care for and sustain our society.