Benefit cuts targeting the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland – Attwood

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today responded to media reports of plans for a further £4billion benefit spending cut.

It has been reported that the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will reduce spending on benefit entitlement by a further £4billion that will impact on those receiving Incapacity Benefit in this Autumn’s spending review.

Responding to the proposals, Social Development Minister Alex Attwood said: "There is now a growing danger that Treasury is in the driving seat when it comes to welfare and benefit changes and that DWP may be loosing authority in the welfare debate. This is precisely what I have been warning about.

"The latest announcements suggest this is what is happening. That is precisely why I have sat down with London Ministers and put it to them straight what the consequences will be for those in need in Northern Ireland. I will keep pressing London Ministers on all of this and negotiate hard for Northern Ireland to make it absolutely clear that treasury proposals are unjust, wrong and destabilising.

"I shall be making representations to the relevant departments in Westminster to confirm in blunt terms my concerns, the risks and urging relevant people to meet with me to have the type of conversation I had with Iain Duncan Smith last week."

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