A PROTEST has been held at Stormont calling on MLAS to declare a hardship emergency in the North of Ireland.
Stormont Winter Hardship protest organiser People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin said: “We commend anti-poverty campaigners, trade unionists, student activists and all others who joined the protest this week demanding action on hardship before Stormont shuts for a holiday recess.
“We have delivered a clear message directly to the Stormont Assembly on behalf of hundreds of thousands of people from all backgrounds and communities who have been flung into financial uncertainty as a result of the massive increase in energy costs, the cruel decision to cut universal credit and poverty pay.
“These challenges are now being compounded by rising covid infections.
“There is growing disgust at the thought MLAs will break for Christmas holidays before taking measures to protect those facing winter hardship.
“MLA Gerry Carroll responded to the protest by agreeing to introduce a motion backing its demands, including for the Assembly to declare a hardship emergency and to then immediately implement a range of measures to protect people.
“The motion requires 30 signatures for the Assembly to convene a sitting to debate its proposals.
“Everyone should urge their local MLAs to sign the motion in support.
“We will continue to speak loudly for immediate action on hardship and campaign for a fundamental reordering of Stormont priorities.”
Gerry Carroll motion introduced on Wednesday, December 15.
Title: Hardship Emergency
“That this Assembly acknowledges the enormous levels of hardship many people in our communities will face this winter as a result of skyrocketing energy costs, the cruel cut to Universal Credit, real-terms pay cuts, across the board cost of living increases, and that food banks and advice providers are stretched to their limits; further acknowledges that for many families, children, and individuals, it is no longer a question of deciding whether to heat or eat, as many are not in a position to afford either;
That this Assembly recognises, in the face of such hardship, the failure of the Executive to allocate either the £55 million earmarked for an Energy Payment Support Scheme, or the £13.8 million from the UK Vulnerable Households Scheme, as well as the unacceptable reduction in winter fuel payment spending, year on year, since 2016;
That this Assembly agrees to declare a hardship emergency, as demanded by the hardship crisis protest held at Stormont;
and calls on the Executive to meet at the earliest opportunity to agree a response to this emergency, including an expansion of the winter fuel payment scheme and a commitment from the Minister for Communities, alongside her Executive colleagues, to identify and allocate top-up payments where necessary, the immediate allocation of £55 million to the Department for Communities for an Energy Payment Support Scheme and an emergency scheme to allocate this funding, and the restoration of the £20 Universal Credit uplift;
and further calls on the Executive to develop a long term strategy for dealing with winter hardship, to be debated and voted on by the Assembly.”
Stormont MLA contact information: http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/mlas/emails.aspx
Tags: