**Neath Port Talbot Council Condemns Planned PIP Changes, Citing Risks for Vulnerable Residents**
Neath Port Talbot Council has joined a growing chorus of concern over the UK Government’s proposed modifications to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system, warning that such changes could significantly harm some of the country’s most at-risk communities. Councillors have described the reforms as “misconceived,” and have highlighted the particular threat these pose to deprived areas throughout Wales.
During a full council meeting in June 2025, elected officials debated the potential consequences of altering eligibility criteria for PIP, a critical benefit designed for individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities. The council voiced fears that thousands in Wales—and especially those living within already disadvantaged communities such as Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil, and Blaenau Gwent—stand to lose vital support if proposed cuts go ahead.
Steve Hunt, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, strongly opposed the government’s direction. He announced his intention to address both the Welsh Government and UK Government directly, urging them to reconsider the reforms. Hunt stressed the importance of reviewing the Welfare Reform Act, pressing for a thorough evaluation of its effects on vulnerable groups across Wales. “While efforts to improve and streamline the welfare system may be well-intentioned,” he told the chamber, “the likely repercussions could deepen the struggles of those most in need, potentially eroding the social safety net meant to ensure a basic standard of living for all.”
The concern was echoed by deputy leader Alun Llewelyn, who represents Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera. He underscored the urgency of an immediate reassessment, characterising the proposed changes as fundamentally flawed from the outset. “The reality,” Llewelyn observed, “is that instead of simplifying welfare, these reforms will push hundreds of thousands further into poverty—especially within Welsh communities already contending with hardship.”
Councillor Sonia Reynolds, representing the local Labour group, added her voice to the opposition and revealed that members had already written to the Prime Minister in a plea for the cuts to be reconsidered. Citing research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, she noted that approximately 24% of people in Wales currently live in poverty, warning that the situation would deteriorate further if PIP eligibility is tightened.
The council’s motion to reject the proposed benefit cuts passed with unanimous support. An amendment was included requiring the council to formally respond to the UK Government’s “Pathways to Work” green paper, which remains open for public consultation until the end of June 2025. This document discusses a wider reform agenda that includes health and disability benefits as well as measures aimed at increasing employment among those not currently in work.
Critics of the government’s welfare strategy point out that Wales faces unique social and economic challenges, with higher rates of poverty and ill health compared to other parts of the UK. Local leaders warn that altering PIP in ways that reduce access to support will have “disproportionate impacts,” undermining community resilience and increasing financial insecurity.
There is also apprehension over the potential long-term effects these reforms could have for public services and local economies. Charities and campaign groups have previously argued that reducing benefits such as PIP often leads to increased demand for other services—from local authorities to the NHS.
With consultation on the government’s green paper ongoing, Neath Port Talbot Council has made it clear it intends to continue lobbying for a more compassionate approach, one which safeguards the welfare of those who depend most on public support. The council’s leaders are calling for robust analysis and genuine consultation, to ensure policy is not simply driven by budgetary pressure but reflects a true understanding of the challenges facing people in Wales.
As the debate intensifies at both local and national level, there appears to be widespread agreement among Welsh councillors: fundamental welfare reforms must be guided by the need to protect society’s most vulnerable, rather than by an imperative to reduce spending. The coming weeks will prove critical as stakeholders across the region rally to make their voices heard.