Welfare reform: Building new homes 'takes time'

A housing association says building more smaller homes for people feeling the impact of welfare reforms cannot happen overnight.

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Torfaen-based Bron Afon housing association, said meeting a new demand for smaller homes is not easy.

Rent arrears are rising and debts mounting as welfare reforms hit home in Wales, an official watchdog has warned.

The auditor general for Wales says welfare system changes are having a greater impact than in England and Scotland.

Levels of rent debt rose by nearly a quarter in the first six months after the spare room subsidy ended and the benefit cap came in.

The UK government says the changes are "absolutely necessary".