People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin
Said Cllr Harkin:”People Before Profit Cllrs won’t back a Council rates hike. The Council shouldn’t implement Tory austerity.
“We’re in a hardship emergency and don’t believe further hikes on struggling households and organisations can be justified.
“Ratepayers shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for corporate profiteering created by Westminster and Stormont.
“Throughout the pandemic there was government intervention to protect Council’s, businesses and jobs – it’s absolutely no different now.
“In November, Councillors gave unanimous support to a People Before Profit motion committing them to avoiding an unfair rates hike, Council service cuts and price hikes.
“All the mainstream parties on Council trampled over this commitment.
“When everyone is saying enough is enough, repeating the Tory line “there is no alternative” isn’t acceptable.
“Food prices continue to rise. Mortgage rates are going up again. Energy prices are still at an all time high.
“The vast majority of people can’t get a pay rise and there’s been very little government hardship help, while energy companies and banks post record profits.
“The Tories are demanding pay cuts and vicious austerity. We refuse to go along with this.”
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