MORE support is needed for the three-million people 'left behind' by the covid measures, a Member of the Senedd has said.

ack Sargeant MS has written to the First Minister Mark Drakeford asking the Welsh Government to support an open letter from campaign group Excluded UK to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for changes in disparities in financial support received by individuals since the start of the pandemic.

While government support packages have supported many through this incredibly difficult time, over 3 million people have found themselves left behind as a result of holes within the current support system.

According the Excluded UK those left unsupported include, 'those in between jobs or due to start new jobs after 19 March, the newly self-employed and new businesses, the self-employed with either low or +£50k net profits, those in less than 50% self-employment and those on parental leave'.

Jack Sargeant MS said: "It is important that the Welsh Government join me in standing in solidarity with those who have been excluded from the current UK Government support packages.

"The cost of leaving people without support since last March is immeasurable both on the individual and for our whole society. The Chancellor must now do the right thing and provide these millions of people with the financial support they deserve."

You can read more about the Excluded campaign and sign the open letter here: https://www.excludeduk.org/open-letter

In his letter to the First Minister, Mr Sargeant said: "I write to you with a request for help in ensuring fairness for people who have been excluded from UK Government financial support.

"Since last March we have had to put in place incredibly restrictive measures to protect people from the virus and stop the NHS from being overwhelmed. The need for these measures has been underlined by the spread of the more virulent strain, north east Wales has seen a significant rise in cases and I fully support the measures your government are putting in place to save lives.

"It is now time the UK Government and in particular The Chancellor Rishi Sunak recognised that his actions are making living under these restrictions impossible for millions of people. Three million people have been excluded from financial support. The cost of leaving people without support since last March is immeasurable both on the individual and for our whole society.

"These exclusions have had a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of millions of our fellow residents. I can’t imagine the anguish the Christmas period must have caused them, but after a year the chancellor still refuses to act. The damage this situation has done will not be recovered by the ending of the pandemic and every day it continues will add to the impact it will have for the rest of millions of people’s lives.

"I know you have spoken out about this before and Government Minister Jane Hutt MS has worked hard to meet with campaign representatives and listen to their circumstances. I believe it is now time for the Welsh Government to stand shoulder to shoulder with the campaigners."