At a well-attended Public Meeting held in Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera on Thursday 28th February, Sinn Féin elected representatives highlighted the draconian nature of many of the measures contained in the Tory led British Government’s Welfare Reform Bill and outlined how the party is pro-actively working to secure fundamental changes to the Bill both within the Assembly and through directly lobbying the British government.
Francie Molloy MLA chaired the meeting and was joined on the panel by by Newry/Armagh MLA and DSD Committee Vice-Chair Mickey Brady and Cllr Liam Mackle both of whom have many years’ experience working within the welfare rights sector.
Speaking on the meeting, Francie Molloy MLA said,
“During an extensive Q&A session many of those present were taken aback at the extent of the draconian measures in this Bill and expressed concern at how they would affect both individuals and families. While the levels of benefits for the north are set in London, we once again re-iterated our party position that unless meaningful flexibilities and mitigating measures are secured to alleviate the harsher aspects of this Bill we will not be supporting it.
“Mickey Brady MLA outlined how we are directly lobbying the British government on an on-going basis in an effort to secure flexibilities in how the Bills administered in the North given that it has already accepted that the situation here is graver than elsewhere.
“Sinn Féin will be continuing with our strategy to secure fundamental changes to this Bill and also through our constituency office services we will be continuing to advise and assist the ever growing number of people contacting us seeking our help on the full range of benefit related issues ranging from: helping people to maximize their benefit entitlements, help with filling in benefit forms, engaging with decision makers, as well as representation at benefit Tribunals.”