‘Reducing benefit cap will punish the poor’ – Murphy

Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy has said British government plans to reduce the benefit cap would drive thousands further into poverty.

He was speaking as plans to reduce the benefits cap from £26,000 to £23,00 were announced.

The Newry and Armagh MP said, “Reducing the benefit cap to £23,000 would create increased hardship and drive more and more people deeper into poverty.

“It is yet another attack on the poor by a cabinet of millionaires with no concept of what it is like to try to survive on benefits. People are not on benefits because they want to be, but because they have no other option. Life on benefits is subsistence living; it is not a lifestyle choice.

“This is another clear example of just how out of touch the Tory-led government is in its rush to punish the poor and most vulnerable through these devastating welfare cuts.

He added, “We in Sinn Féin are totally opposed to these proposed welfare cuts and will continue to stand up for most vulnerable in our society.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Sep 30 2014. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry