Council condemns plans for major reforms of welfare

Council condemns plans for major reforms of welfare

DOWN Council has expressed opposition to the controversial Welfare Reform Bill which it warns will impact on many people across the district.

Politicians agreed at Monday night’s meeting to write to Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland rejecting what they described as the “welfare cuts agenda and austerity policies being pursued at Westminster.”

A motion urging the local authority to reject the sweeping reforms proposed by Sinn Fein councillor Stephen Burns was supported by all the parties in the chamber except Alliance.

Councillor Burns said the welfare reforms are targeted at the most disadvantaged in society and will create “significant hardship and difficulties” for many people and families living within socially disadvantaged communities.

He said Down Council calls on the Assembly to amend the Welfare Reform Bill, consistent with the specific circumstances and needs of people in the North and to work together to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are protected.

Councillor Burns said there is a need to closely scrutinise the Bill and robustly argue for changes to be made, warning its proposals have the potential to leave hundreds homeless and force disabled people back into work.

He added: “This Bill will impact on a huge number of people and affect their ability to access benefit. It needs to be opposed by everyone.”

SDLP Councillor Eamonn O’Neill said his party has argued for the provision of a more simpler, more accessible benefits system and reform to prevent “further abuse of the welfare system by a minority.”

He said the SDLP has consistently and vociferously stated in Westminster and in the Assembly that it does not accept the Bill which, as it stands, is a “shameful attack on the vulnerable in society.”

Councillor O’Neill warned the Bill will impact on people’s incomes, their housing, mental and physical health and their independence and will have a profound affect on the lives of men, women and children.

“Many millions of pounds will be lost from our economy and that will inevitably lead to further job losses, shop closures and, significantly, a reduced rates base for Down Council,” he continued.

Councillor O’Neill said while his party would be supporting the motion, he was “bewildered to its intent and objective” as Sinn MLAs refused to reject the welfare cuts at the Assembly.

Alliance councillor Patrick Clarke, who opposed the motion, said there are parts of the Bill which his party supports and others it views with “deep concern.” He argued Down Council was not the best mechanism to deal with the issue.

Councillor Clarke said it’s the duty of local politicians to work with their colleagues at the Assembly and their work on various Stormont committees related to the Bill to see where the legislation can be amended in the best interests of local people.

Ulster Unionist councillor Walter Lyons asked why Sinn Fein did not use a petition of concern at the Assembly to reject the sweeping welfare reforms and accused the party of “playing on people’s fears and raising false hopes.”

Councillor William Dick (DUP) said many in the community will suffer hardship as a result of the proposed welfare cuts and suggested it’s rich for Sinn Fein to oppose the Bill when its MPs were not at Westminster to represent their constituents.