‘Capping benefit increases at 1% is an attack on the poor’ – Brady
Sinn Féin MLA Mickey Brady has said that the decision by the British Tory government to cap all benefit increases to 1% will only force more families into the poverty trap.
Speaking to Newry Times, Brady said, “To cap benefit rises to 1% is in effect a decrease in real terms as inflation is growing at an average of 2.8% and this will plunge more people into the poverty trap over the next few years.
“Not only will this have an impact on people solely on benefits but also people who work but are on low incomes.
“Benefits have always been linked to inflation and this break will undoubtedly signal the end of providing a benefit system as a method of keeping people out of poverty.
“The proposed Tory Welfare reform act has nothing to do with tackling poverty but is more about tackling the poor. The Tory cuts disguised as reform will put many more people into the poverty trap and needs to be opposed.
He added, “Sinn Féin are the only party that has brought alternative measures to the table to offset some of the most draconian measures and will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.”
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