The Workers Party is calling on all Northern Ireland MPs to oppose the government welfare bill in Westminster next Tuesday. Already over 120 Labour MPs have signed the amendment calling for a pause to the changes, and demanding further consultations and for support to be in place before any further cuts are made. They claim they are being asked to vote before consultation with disabled people and before any impact assessments. 

The government are aware that these proposals will drive another 250,000 people into poverty. The Workers Party is opposed to the government balancing the books on the backs of the most vulnerable people in our society, whilst being willing to spend £40bn a year on defense to deal with a war that may never happen and that people don't want or need. 

The Prime Minister said he was elected to fix Britain because it's broken, and the welfare system must be reformed. What he really means is he needs to finance his place among the war mongers across the globe. People voted for change but not the type of change the government is going to implement. Two hundred and fifty thousand people did not vote to be driven further into poverty. The poor, the sick and the vulnerable should not have to suffer to meet self-imposed financial constraints.  

 

We should all be lobbying our local MPs to ensure they stop this bill. Northern Ireland already has more than its fair share of poverty, multiple deprivations and health inequalities. These changes will lead to more deaths, more social isolation, and more health inequalities. Our Northern Ireland MPs must stand with the poorest members of our society and vote ‘no’.