Findings by a leading European official that the controversial “bedroom tax” should be abolished, have been welcomed by a Derry MLA.
Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
Raymond McCartney, a Sinn Fein representative at Stormont, said the findings by Raquel Rolnik, the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing, vindicated his party’s position on the issue.
Mr McCartney said Sinn Féin had from the outset stated the current Conservative driven welfare cuts were not about streamlining the welfare system but designed to make stringent cuts.
He added those “primarily affected” by the cuts were the most vulnerable in society.
Mr McCartney added: “Ms Rolnik’s assertion that the ‘Bedroom Tax’ could constitute a breach in human rights in several ways and that it should be abolished is welcome yet not surprising given the effects that the roll out of such a tax would have in the North.
“We in Sinn Féin have said that if this is introduced in the North it will devastate many communities. This tax is wrong as it hits at those most in need.
“At the 2013 Ard Fheis Martin McGuinness stated that if the Bedroom Tax were brought before the Assembly Sinn Féin would move to block the tax.”
Mr McCartney concluded: “The British Government must now take these finding on board and act to ensure that those who are most vulnerable in our society receive the assistance and protection that they need.”
