Proceeding contribution from Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 30 June 2010. It occurred during Queen's speech debate on Legislative Programme and Budget Statement (Wales).
Legislative Programme and Budget Statement (Wales)
That is no doubt true. Indeed, not so long ago I heard that some Korean entrepreneurs were on their way to the old county of Clwyd with a view to setting up a business. Their train broke down at Chester, and they had to go home again. That is the norm nowadays. The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We must get the infrastructure correct and we must press for equal treatment of our transport system because it is vital to aid recovery, which we all want to see. On the balance between cuts and tax rises, I am concerned about the likely effect of cuts to the welfare budget. I preface that by saying that although there may be people who should not have welfare payments, I have dealt with about 200 disability living allowances appeals since I became a Member of Parliament and failed in only five—I would have pursued none of them if I knew people were swinging the lead. That was not because I am a brilliant advocate, although hopefully some might think that—my wife might, but no one else—but because the claims should not have been refused in the first place. I mentioned a case earlier, in passing, of a young woman who is desperately ill; her kidneys are failing and unless she has a transplant in the next 18 months I am not sure what will become of her. She has to dialyse four times per day, but the doctor who saw her said that she can walk 100 metres without any problem, which is an absolute lie, and that she can walk up stairs without any problem, which is also an absolute lie. Even though she was on dialysis, she was failed in the first instance. There is something wrong with such a system. We have to purge that kind of practice. I am prepared to do the appeals, but what about the worry that people go through? That appeal went in last summer but was heard in Aberystwyth only on Monday. I am not happy with the current process, let alone with what might be coming.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- WGC c45-6
- Session
- 2010-12
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons Grand Committees
- Subjects
- Legislation Economic policy Public expenditure Wales Budget June 2010
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- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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