‘I fear we haven’t seen the worst of it yet’ Welfare reforms squeeze one of the UK’s poorest regions

Research commissioned by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action shows that, as one of the poorest regions in the UK, the North is suffering disproportionately from the substantial welfare reforms already implemented, from others now in place in the rest of the UK but not yet applied here, and from others that are to be introduced by the British government.

In a row over interpretation of the Stormont House agreement, the Executive did not implement the most recent round of reforms. The government says it will fine the Executive to pay for this loss of revenue.

This will come out of the North’s block grant, which has already been frozen for several years, resulting in cuts to public services.

Responsibility for social security is in theory devolved, but the budget for it is not, and taxation is a matter for the Westminster parliament.

“People will be severely hurt by the reduction in tax credits for the low paid,” says Lisa McElherron of council. “Northern Ireland has the highest level of people working for less than the living wage and one of the highest proportions of people relying on benefits, mostly in-work benefits.

“We have a lot of people on disability living allowance, which is to be replaced. Those who are worst hit are women and children. Whatever happens, these cuts are not going to stop. The Conservatives got a massive electoral mandate to do this. I fear we haven’t seen the worst of it yet.”