SDLP Mark H Durkan MLA has called for the option of a phased payment approach for health staff and non-teaching school support staff in receipt of Universal Credit, to ensure they can benefit from any backdated pay rise.
The payment of lump sum to low-income employees could result in a nil award for Universal Credit one or more months, depending on a claimants’ assessment period.
Mr Durkan has written to the Health and Education Ministers urging equitable access for all staff.
Said the Foyle MLA: “All our hardworking public servants should be able to look forward to their well-deserved and rightfully earned money.
“There’s nothing ‘fair or just’ about a backdated lump sum payment for these staff within the current welfare system.
“It will essentially wipe out their next Universal Credit award and increase their tax, national insurance and pension contributions.
“How is this acceptable? Failure to implement a phased payment approach will adversely impact staff who are single parents, specifically women.
“Is this really how we repay our hardest working and lowest paid staff from nurses to school support staff?
“It’s unforgivable that these workers have been pushed to the picket lines in the first place in order to fight for fairness.
“But now the government are giving with one hand and taking away with the other.
“The Department of Education must work to offer the option of a phased payment for staff as part of any agreed pay offer.
“The refusal of the Health Minister to offer such a provision, will see many health staff in similar circumstances, shafted over the next two months’ Universal Credit payments as any additional income will be deducted from their monthly award.
“I’ve written to the Education Minister urging him to act now to prevent the poorest school support staff from being penalised – their invaluable presence within the education system deserves, at the very least, equitable access to any incoming pay offer.
“These workers are pillars within our schools providing a supportive and nurturing environment for pupils that complements education and makes school so much more than a place of learning, but rather a place of belonging.
“The department and Education Authority owes it to them to ensure UC claiming workers can feel the full benefit of their rightfully earned money.”
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