Sinn Féin attend ICTU Welfare Reform protest at Stormont

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Michaela Boyle has reiterated the need to protect the most vulnerable against the Tory welfare reform agenda. Speaking at the protest against Welfare Reform organised by ICTU at Stormont on Tuesday she said:

“This protest is yet another manifestation of peoples anger at the Tory led welfare reform agenda.  The devastating impact of this agenda is being felt right across society but particularly amongst the most vulnerable.

“With swinging changes to Housing Benefit and Incapacity Benefit eligibility already being severely felt there is much trepidation about the havoc the planned introduction of the Universal Credit and the replacement of DLA with PIPS next year will bring as  it is clear that they will have a negative impact on the vast bulk of the population.  

“Sinn Fein Constituency offices right across the six counties are being inundated with people adversely affected by the draconian changes that have been already made in terms of the replacement of Incapacity Benefit with ESA and swinging changes to Housing benefit rates and eligibility.

"There is much therefore much trepidation about the havoc the planned introduction of the Universal Credit and the replacement of DLA with PIPS next year will bring.

“However, it is clear that the combined impact of all these so-called welfare reforms will negatively impact on the vast bulk of the population.  

“Sinn Féin oppose this agenda and have met with the civic, community and political sectors including the four Churches, welfare advice groups, the Equality and Human Rights Commissions and the trade unions which is why we are here giving our support to this protest.

 “There are unique circumstances in the north of Ireland such as higher levels of poverty, unemployment and disability and this  Welfare reform agenda will impact more negatively locally.

 “For our part Sinn Féin will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable on the basis of equality.”