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Ritchie: Cameron’s cuts impacting harshly on vulnerable children

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has taken David Cameron to task on the impact of the Tory welfare reform cuts on disabled children.

Wed 1st February

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Ms Ritchie asked Mr Cameron what he had to say to middle and lower income constituents of hers who had fears surrounding the removal of working and child tax credits, as those with disabled children in the lowest disability category could lose over £1300 per year.

 

Following PMQs, Ms Ritchie said: “It is all very well for the Prime Minister to stand in the safety of the House of Commons and make fine assurances about protecting the lower category of disabled children with transitional payments.

 

“However, charities who work regularly on the front line with disabled children and their families tell me with some authority that the Tory welfare reform cuts could remove up to 50% of their benefits.

 

“When asked to choose between the proclamations of Whitehall mandarins and the considered opinions of frontline workers I know who I would rather believe.

 

“The cuts to welfare will impact not only on those with disabled children but all low and middle income families who rely on tax credits to survive.

 

“Of course, it is not just the Conservatives who are driving these deeply troubling proposals forward.

 

“It was very interesting, though not surprising, to see Nigel Dodds and the DUP congratulated by Cameron and their Tory masters for supporting the butchering of our welfare state and of course we know that they will unquestioningly push it through at Stormont too.

 

“The SDLP does not for a moment shirk the need for fiscal responsibility in these straitened times and we recognize the need for certain reforms in our state, but these reforms must be to promote compassionate efficiency and humane sustainability, not to take bread from the mouths of the most vulnerable.

 

“Therefore, as we have said previously, all our MPs will continue to oppose these cuts, both on the floor of Parliament and in the voting lobbies.”

Margaret Ritchie

Margaret Ritchie MP, Westminster

Email m.ritchie@sdlp.ie
Tel 028 4461 2882

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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