Alliance Condemns Proposed Welfare Cuts

Alliance Party MP Sorcha Eastwood has strongly criticised proposed UK Government welfare cuts, accusing them of "balancing the books on the backs of vulnerable people."

The Lagan Valley MP expressed particular concern over changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and reductions in financial support for those unable to work, which are expected to be announced this week.

Eastwood argues that these measures will exacerbate poverty rather than encourage employment. She has written to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to voice her concerns.

"The idea cutting disability benefits will help people into work is absolute nonsense," Eastwood stated. "Slashing support won't create jobs or remove barriers, it'll just push more disabled people into deep financial hardship. The Government should be tackling poverty, not making it worse." She further warned of the wider impact on public services, stating, "This approach is a false economy. Stripping away the welfare safety net without putting proper supports in place won't just devastate vulnerable people, it will pile further pressure onto our already overstretched healthcare, primary care and social care systems. The cost of this cruelty will be felt in hospitals, GP surgeries, and crisis services for years to come."

Eastwood highlighted the work of her colleague, Sian Mulholland MLA, who successfully proposed that the Assembly's Communities Committee write to the Secretary of State to emphasise Northern Ireland's unique circumstances. "We already have more people in need of disability benefits, and our health and social care system is struggling to cope. It's beyond belief a Labour Government is even considering this," she said.

She also criticised the government's approach of increasing Universal Credit for jobseekers while cutting support for those unable to work due to illness or disability. "To add insult to injury, these changes will also pit different groups of claimants against each other – giving much-needed increases to Universal Credit for jobseekers while cutting support for sick and disabled people who physically can't work," Eastwood stated.

The MP concluded by calling for a more compassionate approach to social security. "The Government must stop balancing the books on the backs of vulnerable people. Disabled people deserve dignity, security, the right support to live independently, and where possible, to work. The social security system needs to be improved to make that happen, but not with these absurd proposals no one asked for."