The impact of welfare reform on communities in the Amman, Gwendraeth and Swansea valleys is to be debated in the National Assembly.

Just weeks after university research showed that residents in some Carmarthenshire communities were set to lose hundreds of pounds a year as a result of the changes, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas secured the debate after raising the report with the Welsh Government’s Business Minister.

Mr Thomas said the report by Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research highlighting the figures raised issues of national importance.

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian earlier this month, Mr Thomas and MP Jonathan Edwards expressed concern over the figures showing that more than £1billion will be lost from the Welsh economy, with Amman, Gwendraeth and Swansea Valley residents estimated to lose up to £790 per year as a direct result.

The overall impact of welfare reform to Carmarthenshire is estimated to be £65million.

Plaid Cymru AM Mr Thomas used a question in the National Assembly this week to highlight the report’s finding that despite west Wales and the Valleys qualifying again for the highest level of European funding, welfare reform will remove almost four times as much from the economy, per year, as is received in EU funding.

A debate on the report and the impact of the reforms is set to be held tomorrow (Tuesday, November 25).

“The Sheffield Hallam University report has some vitally important information about how our local communities, and indeed communities across Wales are being severely affected by the welfare reforms of successive Westminster governments,” said Mr Thomas.

“The figures really paint a picture of how the people of the Amman, Gwendraeth and Swansea valleys are being hit hard by decisions taken by out-of-touch London governments. The Guardian has played a huge role in informing local residents of these startling figures with its clear and well-presented two-page spread earlier this month. But this information needs to be heard loud and clear in the corridors of power.

“That £65million will be lost from Carmarthenshire each year; that some of the people I represent are having to cope with losing almost £800 a year; that hugely important European funds are effectively being lost from the economy should make the Welsh Government sit up and think.

“These are issues of national importance and I want them discussed at a national level. I’m pleased I’ve secured a debate in the Senedd and look forward to presenting some positive ways in which Wales can stand up and reject Westminster’s austerity agenda.”