Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
Supporters and advocates of welfare reform have been challenged to spend a week living on the low income they expect others to survive on.
Derry Sinn Fein MLA Mr McCartney hit out at UUP, DUP and Alliance ministers who, he said, were quick to demand his party implement Tory cuts to the benefits of those on low incomes, the disabled and the unemployed.
Mr McCartney added “Would they be so enthusiastic if they were facing reductions to their own incomes or had to live on the pittance allocated to the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.”
Mr McCartney said welfare cuts had forced “tens of thousands” of people in England into increased poverty, homelessness, desperation and in some cases suicide.
He added: “Could any of the politicians advocating welfare cuts survive on the income they want to give to the disabled and the unemployed?
“I am challenging, Simon Hamilton, David Ford, Stephen Farry and Danny Kennedy to spend just one week on the incomes they expect others to live on.”
Mr McCartney concluded: “I doubt very much they could do so but perhaps this experience would open their eyes to the real impact of welfare cuts.”
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