Call for benefit appeals such as PIPs and Universal Credit be removed from courthouses

A member of Stormont’s Justice Committee has proposed that a reconfiguration of courthouses in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis is used as an opportunity to remove benefit appeals from what she described as “such an inappropriate environment”.

Local MLA Sinead Bradley said that people challenging decisions relating to social security awards are often vulnerable.

They should, she said, be supported rather than feeling like they have done something wrong.

Speaking to Newry Times, Sinead said, “The use of courthouses for Benefit Appeal Tribunals is, in my view, entirely inappropriate.

“It sends a damaging message to those who are seeking to challenge decisions about their entitlement to support.

“The people forced to challenge awards are often vulnerable and our focus should be on supporting them to get the right result rather than subjecting them to a criminal justice environment.

“Our Court Houses will undergo a reconfiguration process as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

“I have proposed that we use that process as the opportunity to remove benefit appeals from these formal environments.

She added, “The Justice Minister and the Minister for Communities must move on this issue to support vulnerable people.”

Keep up to date with all the latest Northern Ireland Coronavirus / Covid-19 news HERE

___________________________________

Dear Newry Times reader,

Newry Times has been providing the latest breaking news in Newry and Mourne for nearly ten years now and today we’re asking for your help to keep us doing the jobs we love.

Newry Times relies on advertising from local businesses, local Councils, and hospitality businesses.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic all advertising has ceased.

Your contribution, however small, will go towards revamping the Newry Times website to keep it engaging, informative and high quality.

It will help us pay for freelance journalists and photographers and ultimately help us to continue to provide breaking news to you, our 14,000+ readers.

We will always keep our news content free of charge for everyone in Newry & Mourne to read and we promise to always cover stories that matter to you.

Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.

Paul Malone, Newry Times Editor

DONATE NOW BY CLICKING HERE

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=71302

Posted by NewryTimes News on May 29 2020. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry