McGlone Concerned at Assembly Failure to Oppose Unfair Welfare Cuts

SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster, Patsy McGlone, has expressed concern at the Assembly’s failure to support an SDLP motion calling on the Executive to make opposition to a wide range of the UK Government’s welfare cuts and changes their highest priority. The motion was narrowly defeated by 44 votes to 38 after a debate in the Assembly chamber.

Speaking afterwards Mr McGlone said, “By failing to support the SDLP motion calling on the Executive to take a stronger stand against the cuts to welfare the Assembly is failing the most vulnerable in our society. Those people are already suffering because of welfare cuts, many of which are being imposed prior to the introduction of universal credit.

“Cuts to Housing Benefit are resulting in increasing levels of homelessness; people with debilitating physical conditions and mental illnesses are being told that they are capable of working, even though there are no jobs, and more and more vulnerable people are having their benefits cut.

“However, with the imposition of the Welfare Reform Bill this situation is going to become even more desperate. Disability Living Allowance will be cut by 20%, by £160 million in total.

“Last year, in Mid Ulster alone, 10,160 people were receiving Disability Living Allowance, 540 Severe Disablement Allowance and 2,940 Attendance Allowance. A further 3,230 people were in receipt of Incapacity Benefit and 1,360 Employment and Support Allowance.

“5,990 people received Housing Benefit, 5,640 Pension Credits and 3,840 Income Support.

“The Bill will also hit working families on low incomes who will be affected by the changes to working tax credits. Some of the changes could lead to a reduction of as much as £4,000 a year for those families.

“The SDLP does not oppose the idea of simplifying the social security system. We do not oppose welfare reform, but we do oppose unfair reform. That is why we proposed that all parties in the Assembly formed an ad hoc working group to go through the welfare changes line by line.

“It is disappointing that other parties would not support the SDLP’s call to prioritise opposition to the unfair welfare cuts and changes.

“We will continue to press the Executive and the British government to seek greater operational and legal flexibility in how welfare reform is enacted here. Our objective remains the protection of those vulnerable members of our society who are most at risk from the cuts to welfare provision.”

ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Number of welfare recipients by constituency
http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/questions/printquestionsummary.aspx?docid=118125