Today’s Wales on Sunday has a story about the Discretionary Assistance Fund – formerly the Social fund now under the control of the Welsh Government that those on low incomes and reliant on benefits who fall on hard times can apply to in emergencies that is being managed by a US hedge fund.
Concerns have been raised and some concessions have been won such as a free phone number rather than a 0845 no, but the 18 page application form remains and it raises questions about the Welsh Government’s procurement process and who exactly is making the decisions to award contracts to companies like Northgate Information Services who are in it to make a profit at the expense of the most vulnerable in Welsh society.
It also makes a mockery of the stated aim of the Welsh Government to use procurement to help the Welsh economy when the outlook remains difficult for families and business.
No surprises that Labour, Plaid Cymru and Lib Dems are quiet on the matter hoping the baby eating Tories will get the blame rather than the Welsh Labour Government who will wriggle out of responsibility, but when they get back from recess this should be a priority for the opposition to try get some answers.
The full story is HERE
UPDATE it appears the Wales on Sunday relied heavily on this Bevan Foundation article from the beginning of March for their 'exclusive' - so much for investigating and reporting of welsh politics, it's back to business as usual for the media.
Any source
UPDATE it appears the Wales on Sunday relied heavily on this Bevan Foundation article from the beginning of March for their 'exclusive' - so much for investigating and reporting of welsh politics, it's back to business as usual for the media.
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