SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has urged Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to scrap the callous “two-child” benefit cap, raising the important issue at the Communities Committee.
The Foyle MLA: “Over a quarter of children in Northern Ireland are living in poverty.
“As the Child Poverty Action Group stated in their evidence to a Westminster committee, “you could not design a policy better to increase child poverty than this one”.
“The cruel two child benefit cap, brought in by the most callous of Tories, and the horrendous Rape Clause are causing hardship to families across the North.”
“This policy was brought in after the DUP, Sinn Fein and Alliance handed welfare powers over to the Tories and allowed them to make indefensible attacks on people here.
“Given the fact the mitigation package had already been secured it is not possible to protect families here from this onslaught.
“It is expected that this policy is costing families more than £50 per week.
“At a time when so many families are being pushed into hunger, poverty and despair they should be able to look to our Executive and Assembly to help them.
“The Minister must act to secure and strength mitigations for families across the North.
“These draconian policies should be scrapped without delay,” added Mr Durkan.
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