McNulty: Cutting welfare support not the way to balance the books
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said that those receiving welfare support should not have to bear the brunt of the UK Government’s cuts to stabilise the economy.
He was speaking after Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement on Wednesday.
He said the changes “will increase the worry that many people have been living with since these changes were first mooted. Those with disabilities and mental health problems are fearful about what the next few years will bring for them and their families as they face cuts to their income at a time when many are already struggling to get by.
“I understand the difficult financial situation facing the UK to a large part brought on by Brexit and the desire of their government to balance the books – but that cannot be done off the backs of those who are already among the worst off in our society. At a time when we see obscene wealth concentrated in the hands of so few and while large corporations underpay tax, this feels to so many like a morally wrong choice.
“These decisions will cause particular concern in the North where we have higher numbers of people relying on welfare support. The reasons for this are complex – but not helped by the decline in our public services and standards of living in recent years.
“The Executive also cannot wash their hands of this situation. Many of these changes will not come into effect imminently, buying important time to plan and put mitigations in place. Ministers must do everything they can while we all work to press the UK Government to change tact."