Our social protection system is experiencing an onslaught of cuts. The Westminster Conservative Government is choosing to pursue a policy of slashing the support available to those who are most vulnerable, leaving many struggling just to get by.

Personal Independence Payments, or PIP, were introduced to replace Disability Living Allowance. Those who are sick or disabled now have to attend an in-person assessment in order to receive the benefit. The private companies paid to carry out these assessments have been found not to take into account the advice of doctors when making decisions and not to have a basic level of awareness of the conditions they’re testing for. It’s been reported that as many as 4 in 5 of the decisions made are overturned on appeal.

There is no PIP assessment centre in Gwent, so those living in the region will have to travel. Making the already stressful experience of attending an evaluation even more difficult.

The evaluations also determine whether someone is allowed to access the Motability scheme that helps provide transport. By 2018, 90,000 specially adapted cars, powered wheelchairs and scooters will have been repossessed.

Between 400 and 500 disabled people a week are losing their vehicle and suddenly finding themselves trapped in their own homes.

In Wales, we could be doing things differently. The Welsh Government does not have powers over welfare, but the Labour administration could chose to mitigate some of the worst impacts of the Tory cuts.

Yet in fact, the Welsh Labour Government has gone further than the Government in England by cutting the Family Fund, which gives grants to low income families with sick and disabled children. The grants cover every day essentials, pay for the costs of hospital treatment, can be spent on specialist equipment like sensory toys, computers and tablets, or on short holidays to give a families a much needed break.

In April 2016, Labour announced that the money available for the Family Fund would be reduced from £2.5 million to £500,000 a year. Over 4,000 families will miss out as a result. The funding is still available in England and Scotland. It is only Wales where families will be affected.

Plaid Cymru would introduce a Welsh Social Protection Plan that uses the devolved powers we do have to ensure that the most vulnerable, those who are sick, disabled and in need of help, receive the support they need. Only Plaid Cymru will defend Wales from the Tory Government’s unjust cuts and stand up to fight on behalf of our country, people and communities.