Cllr Colly Kelly.
Churches, charities and trade unions have been called on to join the campaign against Tory cuts.
The call comes for Derry Sinn Fein Councillor Colly Kelly who said if implemented, the cuts will affect thousands of people in Derry and will have a knock on effect on the local economy.
Fears have been expressed the proposed cuts would result in over £100 million being lost to the North West economy.
Cllr Kelly was speaking ahead of a major rally organised by the community and voluntary sector taking place in Belfast on Saturday.
Cllr Kelly said: “If we go behind the headlines the figures of the potential impact of these Tory cuts are quite staggering and their impact will be felt hardest in places like Derry.
“It will affect people’s ability to buy food, cloths, heat their homes, pay and rent mortgages the list is endless.
“Losing even £10 -20 a week in some family budgets can make the difference between eating or heating their home.”
Cllr Kelly said he had spoken to many small businesses in Derry who were “worried” about the loss of millions of pounds from the local economy.
He added: “Also many of those working in these businesses are relying on benefits to top up their wages to keep them above the breadline.
“It’s estimated that 242,000 families here will have their child benefit cut and all families in receipt of working or child tax credits will be affected. 66,000 people unable to work due to illness or disability will lose on average £3,500 a year.
“Families with disabled children currently receive an extra £54 per week from child tax credit, but that will be reduced by half when universal credit is introduced: about £1,400 a year for a family with a disabled child.
“Many others across society, including churches, charities, trade unionism and now even allies of the Tories are joining the opposition to these drastic cuts. I would ask them to join the rally organised by community organisations in Belfast on Saturday to send a clear signal that we are united against these proposed cuts.”
A number of buses will be going from Derry to Saturday’s rally, telephone 028 7137 7551/7135 97477131 8683.
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