Call For DUP To End ‘Shameful’ Boycott Of The Executive

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said the DUP should end its “shameful and cruel boycott” of the Executive and help people who are struggling to pay their bills.

The North Belfast MP said: "DUP representatives are tripping over themselves to double down on their shameful boycott of the Executive and dereliction of duty during a cost-of-living emergency.

"Inflammatory language such as what was used today is irresponsible and does nothing to help reach a resolution.

"They are also clearly having trouble respecting democracy and refusing to accept the democratic outcome of the Assembly election.

"Sabre-rattling and threats do nothing for people who are suffering on hospital waiting lists and people who are struggling to heat their homes.

"It's time Jeffrey Donaldson’s party stopped sitting on their hands, ended its cruel boycott and turned up for work on behalf of the people who elected them."

Alliance Secures New Council Disability Working Group

Alliance Belfast City Councillor Ross McMullan has secured a new Council disability working group with the aim of driving Belfast forward to become an accessible city, after unanimous approval from Council on Monday night.

Councillor McMullan has said the move will put words finally into action to deliver real tangible results on the Council’s commitment to become an inclusive city for everyone.

He said: "Belfast is a fantastic city, but the inaccessibility, exclusion and barriers disabled people can be experience on a daily basis here is intolerable. Disability rights are non-negotiable, and its time we as elected members turned words into action.

"Five years ago commitments were included by the Council in its Belfast Agenda - its community plan until 2035 - where the Council said it would bring about change. While many good actions have taken place in that time, they’ve happened in isolation - not only between stakeholders but within Council itself.

"Since I first recognised the need for this group two years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ve spoken to a range of people with disabilities and groups who have felt let down. Now in a context of cost of living crisis that will also disproportionately affect disabled people, action to put a plan to deliver on this commitment is long overdue.

"This group will allow Councillors from each party to engage with putting an overarching disability strategy together. Fundamental to this group is the principle of ‘Nothing Without Us’. The participation of people with disabilities in the group in ensuring any recommendations put forward are well informed, actionable and deliver change."

SDLP Urges Govt To Protect Vulnerable Families

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said the British government cannot allow a real-terms cut to welfare payments during a cost of living emergency.

He was speaking after Prime Minister Liz Truss declined to say whether benefits would increase in line with inflation, despite a commitment from her predecessor Boris Johnson.

Mr Eastwood said the government should be introducing protections for the worst off in society.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "Soaring inflation has meant that people’s wages are worth a fraction of what they once were, the cost of everything from food to fuel is increasing and people simply don't have the money to pay for it. Those who rely on welfare payments, many of whom are in-work, were struggling long before this crisis and a refusal by the government to increase payments in line with inflation will be a crushing blow to people across the North and Britain.

"This would be an absolutely heartless decision that would result in people being forced to skip meals, live in cold houses and cut out the few luxuries they can afford. Everyone, from pensioners to children will suffer. Too many families across the North are already living in poverty and if this government goes ahead with decisions like this the situation is going to get much, much worse.

"I have written to the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng outlining a number of proposals including increasing welfare payments in line with inflation, pausing social security debt collection, ending the two-child limit on Universal Credit and Child Tax Credits and reinstating the £20 weekly cut that has left so many families worse off. "