Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 17°CSunday 18°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityHealthNews

Tierney calls on council to support Universal Credit claimants

written by cassoscoop September 24, 2021
ShareTweet

Former Mayor of Derry and Strabane Councillor Brian Tierney

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney has called on Derry and Strabane councillors to show their support for Universal Credit claimants.

The former mayor is introducing a motion on Thursday (September 30) calling for councillors to acknowledge the important impact of the planned £20 weekly cut to Universal Credit and for everything possible to be done to retain it.

In the absence of action from the British government the SDLP is calling on Sinn Féin Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to work with Finance Minister Conor Murphy, to uphold the £20 a week for the remainder of the financial year and commit to a long-term strategy to tackle poverty and social deprivation across Derry and Strabane.

Said Cllr Tierney: “The extra £20 a week for Universal Credit claimants has made a huge difference to people across our council area, which has some of the highest levels of poverty and deprivation of anywhere on these islands.

“To remove it now when people are still dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic is cruel and short-sighted.

“Families have just been hit with the large costs associated with children returning to school and we are months away from Christmas, this cut could not have come at a worse time.

“People are being faced with difficult decisions and wondering how they can heat their home and put food on the table in the face of the rising cost of groceries and gas and electricity bills.

“The British government aren’t going to do anything to protect the people of Derry. We need to take action into our own hands.

“The SDLP fought hard to ensure we’d have control over welfare powers when others wanted to them to the Tories.

“Minister Hargey needs to get her Sinn Féin colleague Conor Murphy to pony up the £55 million needed to cover this funding for the rest of the financial year.

“I’m calling on all councillors to use their voice to stand up for Universal Credit claimants and support our motion and campaign against this cut.

“£55 million is a small amount of money for our Executive, but the £20 a week could be the difference for some families between having to skip meals or being able to buy clothes for their children.”

Tierney calls on council to support Universal Credit claimants was last modified: September 24th, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
British GovernmentCommunities Minister Deirdre HargeyCOUNCILLOR BRIAN TIERNEYDerry and Strabane CouncilFINANCE MINISTERSDLPTierney calls on council to support Universal Credit claimantsUNIVERSAL CREDIT
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

3 hours ago

Funeral of mother and daughter killed in...

7 hours ago

Man arrested over Class C drugs seizure...

7 hours ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

11 hours ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

13 hours ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

1 day ago

Derry priest faces seven more child sex...

1 day ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

1 day ago

Man charged with possessing indecent images of...

1 day ago

Loving mother and daughter killed in Donegal...

1 day ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025
  • Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized in North West

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy