SCC WELCOMES NICVA’S REJECTION OF THE WELFARE REFORM BILL

The Stop the Cuts Campaign (SCC) welcomes the concern raised by the NICVA and Law Centre regarding the proposed Welfare Reform Bill.

NICVA’s Seamus McAleavey said “…we hope the prominent decision-makers fully comprehend the impact on some of the poorest people in our society who will be hit hardest”

The SCC state that not only do the Assembly need to comprehend the impact on society but it actively needs to reject this bill.

The Stormont committee chairman Alex Maskey, Sinn Féin stated that he, and indeed, all MLA’s were concerned about the impact the reform will have on local people; but quickly hide behind the issue of parity to distance himself from blame.

SCC spokesperson, Pat Lawlor, said “this bill is an attack on the genuinely ill, the unemployed and workers on low incomes. With a one year restriction on benefits, thousands will be driven into poverty as they are forced to try and find work that doesn’t exist.”

“Ironically on the week that celebrates International Women’s Day, it should be noted that this bill will adversely affect women the most. It will be women who will bear more than two-thirds of welfare cuts through tax credits and child benefit as the baby element of tax credits, currently worth up to £545 a year to low income households, is to be abolished.”

The SCC demand the Assembly Executive refuses to implement these changes to welfare.   The SCC state now is the time to begin to build a mass campaign of opposition in every community to fight for decent benefits, education, training and work for all, without compulsion and for the creation of real jobs and investment and protection of our public services.

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For more information contact:

Pat Lawlor                 07810522111
David Adair               07743346834