NI To Suffer Most From Welfare Cuts Without Mitigations - Alliance

Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood has warned that Northern Ireland will disproportionately bear the burden of the UK Government's welfare cuts, without receiving the mitigations offered elsewhere in the UK.

The Lagan Valley MP criticised Chancellor's Spring Statement, arguing that it confirmed Labour's decision to maintain the Conservatives' "failed approach of austerity," which she said forces the most vulnerable to pay for an economic crisis they did not create.

"Last week's widespread outrage over the Government's cruel benefit cuts has been met with indifference from Labour, who seem content to continue this morally bankrupt economic strategy," said Ms Eastwood.

She highlighted the specific impact on Northern Ireland, stating, "Northern Ireland is set to suffer the worst impacts of these cuts, yet we won't see any of the mitigations promised elsewhere in the UK, such as employability support.

Labour campaigned on change, but instead, they are offering more of the same - targeting those on the lowest incomes rather than taking fair, sensible steps to rebalance the economy." Ms Eastwood argued that the Chancellor's fiscal rules are "self-imposed and self-defeating," and that the burden of balancing the books should fall on those who can afford it. "The books must be balanced, but that should come on the backs of those who can bear the weight, such as billionaires and multinational tech companies, not those struggling just to keep the lights on. Instead, we are seeing a deliberate political choice to pursue cuts and austerity when fairer, more responsible alternatives are available."

She also criticised Labour's stance on Brexit, stating, "While Labour is happy to go after those on state support, they continue to ignore one of the biggest drags on our economy - Brexit. If they were serious about fixing the mess they've inherited, they would be confronting the economic damage it has caused and looking at real mitigations, such as rejoining the Single Market or Customs Union."

Ms Eastwood concluded by expressing concern over the economic outlook, saying, "The economic outlook is already bleak, and today's statement makes clear it may get even worse. Austerity has failed, and doubling down on it is inexcusable and senseless."