SDLP in London for benefits talks

Published Wednesday, 08 February 2012

Senior SDLP members are in London to meet Welfare Minister Lord Freud about changes to Northern Ireland's benefits system.

The SDLP delegation of MPs will meet Lord Freud in London. (© UTV)

It comes after the House of Commons supported plans which could see household benefits capped at £26,000 per year.

The SDLP believe the controversial move would have a "disproportionate impact" on people in NI.

Party leader Alasdair McDonnell MP is taking part in the talks with the minister on Wednesday, alongside colleagues Margaret Ritchie MP, Mark Durkan MP and Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

Mr McDonnell said: "We in the SDLP are extremely concerned about the consequences of these welfare changes on vulnerable people, working families and our economy.

"This reform of our benefits system will have a disproportionate impact on people in Northern Ireland in comparison to other areas and for that reason it is essential that the Assembly is given greater scope to mitigate the worst effects of these changes without being forced to cut our block grant.

"We will be highlighting these issues to Lord Freud today and will continue to pressure other parties here to put welfare reform where it belongs, at the top of the Executive's political agenda."

If the plans go ahead the total amount of benefit working-age people can claim will be limited to stop households on out-of-work benefits receiving more than the UK average weekly wage.

It would apply to Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and others.

The government forecasts savings of over £600m between 2013 and 2015.

Comments

6 Comments

Paddy in Downpatrick wrote (105 days ago):

Its a scandel. I know people, as do many others, who work very hard to earn an honest living and then pay their income tax to support the unemployed, sick, disabled, eldery etc. Im fine with this, with-in reason. What gets me is a lot of people who claim from the government do so fraudulently and relish the fact that they can do so. The whole system is wrong. Then the leader of the SDLP says the MLAs are in poverty. SHAME ON HIM

Charlie in Belfast wrote (105 days ago):

If Alasdair Mc Donnell and the S.D.L.P are so concerned about the benefits situation in Northern Ireland they should be endeavouring to reduce the number of unnecessary M.L.A's from 108 to 60 and put a stop to double and treble jobbing in addition to reducing the ridiculously high number of advisors, press officers, consultants and secretaries etc ( why on earth is it necessary for the Northern Ireland Assembly to employ more such staff in these positions than Westminster? ) If Dr McDonnell and the S.D.L.P were successful in initiating such changes there would be a lot more millions of pounds available in the public purse to assist those who need help whither they be in business or on benefits.

William in Killyleagh wrote (105 days ago):

I agree Ian why work when you can get 26k a year off the state ? i work 40 hours per week for 15k take home pay. The SDLP have been encouraging people to sponge of the state for years !!!!

OAP in United Kingdom wrote (106 days ago):

I think this is a damage limitation exercise by McDonnell to make up for the cockup over the"MLAs living in poverty". He had to do something to appease the voters as he knows his political days are numbered.

Jeff in Derry wrote (106 days ago):

Many working families get by on a lot less ! Should be capped @ less than £26000 1 The fat cat MLA s should look at the real world.

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