The leader of Plaid Cymru has stated that some of the most economically disadvantaged parents in Wales might be eligible for additional financial support if their party leads the Welsh government.
Rhun ap Iorwerth informed his party's spring conference in Llandudno about his plan to implement a payment initiative aimed at addressing the "national disgrace" of child poverty.
INSPIRATIONS DIGITALWales realizes the party is considering a £10 million pilot project aimed at providing £10 weekly support to 15,000 young children aged zero to six who come from families receiving Universal Credit.
It would resemble a program implemented in Scotland, which started as a pilot at £10 per week and has since increased to £26.70 weekly.
The Cynnal payment — Welsh for "maintain" — is part of Plaid's platform for the upcoming Senedd election scheduled for May 2026.
During an extensive address, AP Iorwerth compared Nigel Farage to Donald Trump and stated that his Reform party is so "not serious about victory" that they do not even have a leader in Wales.
Aplwyddyn Iorwerth ymddiswyn â chyfailliaid mewn Venue Cymru eu bod yn credu mai trychinebus plant yr oedd wedi cau'r bwlch "maen nhw'n golwg glas ar wasanaethau cymdeithasol".
He stated, 'It’s unacceptable that numerous children lack fundamental necessities – they aren’t provided with basic health care and essential resources, let alone an equitable opportunity for success.'
Following 14 years of cutbacks imposed by the Tories and 26 years of indecision during Labour’s tenure — this administration would be grounded in principles of equity and social justice.
The Cynnal payment, which will bear this name, will precisely achieve these goals: sustaining families and supporting communities.
The commissioner for children in Wales stated that approximately 30% of kids in the country were facing poverty.
Criticism has been directed at Labour ministers due to their lack of specific goals to address the issue—these officials contended that setting such targets was challenging because they lacked authority over welfare benefits.
Sources from Plaid indicate that this plan could be put into action utilizing their current authority — employing the same legal framework that facilitated the recently concluded basic income trial for those leaving foster care.
The specifics still need to be finalized, but INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL was informed that the pilot would likely be restricted, potentially within certain geographical boundaries.
Plaid stated that operating the program nationwide would require approximately £78 million annually, but their initial focus would be assisting around 15,000 children—about 10% of kids residing in families receiving Universal Credit, as per information from a party member.
According to sources from Plaid, the pilot program would require an annual investment of £10 million.
For Plaid Cymru to initiate a pilot program, they would have to be part of the governing body. The introduction of this new voting system significantly increases the likelihood that the winner of the upcoming election in May 2026 will need to establish some sort of coalition government.
Aplwyddyn Iorwerth gyflwynodd at INSPIRATIONS DIGITALWales gan ddweud: "Mae unigol lle yn y Deyrnas Unedig oedd mewn cyfrifoli i lawr cynyddu llymach ar lefel trychinebus plant. Mae hwnny'n yr Alban - maen nhw wedi gwneud hynny."
He stated that the policy is budget-friendly. "How far can any nation afford to ignore an issue as profound as this one?"
'Farage believes in Farage'
Aplwyddyn Ap Iorwerth directed his comments towards Reform UK, a party aiming to secure their initial representation in the Senedd next year.
Comparing his party’s leadership to the new government in the United States, he stated, “ Trump, Musk, and Farage along with their supporters aim to gain from the currency of fear and hatred.”
"Be cautious of those men whose sole true belief is their own ego," he stated.
He charged Reform with possessing "neither a plan nor a vision—except for allowing private profits to taint our NHS."
Aplwyff Ap Iorwerth asserted that the Labour Party's policy arsenal was "empty" and charged First Minister Eluned Morgan with being unwilling to embrace authorities "capable of impacting people's lives positively."
He proposed that Plaid Cymru's pro-independence position might serve as "leverage" to secure additional compromises from the British government.
We have a Labour-first minister who is blinded by allegiance to their party, too fearful to make waves, and trying to appease Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Ynys Môn MS commented: "With a Plaid Cymru first minister leading Wales, they will require more than empty promises to quieten us down."
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