Welsh Labour leader backs calls for winter fuel payment cut rethink

The leader of Labour in Wales has called for the cuts to winter fuel allowance to be reviewed in a landmark speech.

It comes as Downing Street denies newspaper reports that it is considering a part-reversal of the controversial policy.

Politics latest: Downing Street denies winter fuel rethink

Welsh First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan, who became the first female first minister last August, also called for "respect" for Welsh devolution at an event on Tuesday to mark a year until the Senedd election.

She said Labour governments both ends of the M4 were "a partnership in power" and that the Labour government in Westminster was making changes that were "transforming lives in Wales".

"Let's be honest though, it hasn't all been popular," she said, of the party's record since last July's General Election win.

"The cuts in winter fuel allowance is something that comes up time and again and I hope the UK government will rethink this policy."

Baroness Morgan said Westminster welfare reform proposals were causing "serious concern" in Wales where there is "a higher number of people reliant on disability benefits than elsewhere".

She called for "respect for devolution" which was "hard won, deeply rooted and absolutely non-negotiable".

"That means that the UK government should never act in devolved areas without Welsh government consent," she said.

"We're not happy that this is continuing under Labour."

In January, the first minister told Sky News she was expecting more money for Wales's railways and criticised "unfair" HS2 funding.

Turning her sights to next May's elections - when Wales will elect 96 members for the first time - Baroness Morgan said the vote would be a "battle for the future of Wales".

She said the rise of Reform UK in many parts of the country has "put the whole shape of the future of Wales at stake" - and she accused Nigel Farage's party of wanting to "use Wales to make a point in the English press".

Responding to the speech, a Reform UK spokesperson said Welsh Labour was "more focused on slogans than solutions" and had "failed to deliver meaningful change for the people of Wales".

Making several references to comedy series Gavin & Stacey, the first minister said there would be "times when what's right for Essex, is not right for Barry".

She said "a vote for Plaid risks letting Reform take power" and added that Welsh Labour was the "one true party of Wales" - but Plaid Cymru accused her of a "desperate attempt" to "reset her premiership".

During the 49-minute speech, Baroness Morgan also called for further funding to make Wales's coal tips safer, a "fair share" of the Clean Steel Fund to support the country's steel communities, and the devolution of the Crown Estate.

She also said that the Barnett Formula, which decides how much money Wales receives from Westminster, is "outdated" and "needs to change".

"Solidarity has to work both ways. It's time for a funding system that recognises our needs, respects our people and reflects our reality," she added.

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Speaking of Welsh Labour's relationship with the Westminster party going forward, Baroness Morgan said her government would work "with the UK government" on issues where they agree but would "hold [their] ground" where they don't.

But she added: "I am proudly married to my nation and I'm going to put my nation first, ahead of the extended family.

"It's nation and the people of Wales before party for me."