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Even some supporters of the reforms believe that the emotional case for them – getting people off the unemployment 'scrapheap', ending stressful re-assessments for the most vulnerable – were not made soon enough or forcefully enough.

"Coal, steel and iron put this country where it is and look at us now - they've thrown us on the scrapheap," he said.

An environmentally-friendly "electric arc" furnace at Port Talbot is to be built and government funding guaranteed so steelmaking will not be put on the scrapheap.

"In stark contrast, Labour's campaign has already consigned Wales to the scrapheap of unfair funding and a Westminster parliament which holds Wales back."

A rail enthusiast has bought a 1970s train for £1 in a bid to save it from the scrapheap.