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Durkan: McCausland acting as a puppet for Tory Government

SDLP Welfare spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has slammed Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland for his blind acceptance and support of the Tory Pensions Bill despite the detrimental impact it will have on society and particularly on women.

Tue 31st January

The Foyle MLA said: “While this is being pushed as a ‘reformist’ and ‘progressive’ piece of legislation based on developing and changing the needs of society, it is remarkable that it contains such blatant inequalities which the Social Development Minister seems happy to support.

“Forcing an over 7000 women of a certain age-band to change their lives, their plans and their futures at the drop of a hat without consideration of the challenges this will pose is a far cry from equality. It is purely a money-saving exercise by the Tory Government to get more money in from people and put less out.

“While the benefit upper age limit has been extended to assist older people who cannot get work, we must consider the impact it will have on many older people who have worked their entire lives and saved into pension schemes who simply don’t want to go on benefits.

“These people simply want what they are entitled to and by forcing them to accept these changes without sufficient time to make adequate provision is unfair and illogical and it is totally contradictory of the Assembly to accept such a move in which we are going backwards- offering benefits as a lifestyle choice rather than as a short-term lifesaver.

“Instead of stabilising the economy, these measures could exacerbate our youth unemployment problem creating a stagnant workforce, who will feel aggrieved by a Government that has again put the working class person at the bottom of its mandate.

“The fact that the Minister wanted to put this through the Assembly without debate, indicates his reluctance to have these important issues scrutinised and debated publicly.

“The Assembly and Executive must wise up and stand up to Westminster by developing a coalition of the regions, working with Scotland and Wales, in opposing these draconian Welfare Reform measures.” 

Mark H Durkan

Mark H Durkan MLA

Email markh.durkan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk
Tel 028 7136 5516

Press Office

Tel 028 90 42 1837

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