The attendance at the welfare rights meeting in the Tower Hotel.
Proposed welfare cuts will take over £100 million out of the North West economy, it has been claimed.
Speaking at a packed meeting in the Tower Hotel in Derry hosted by local charity Destined, Kathleen Bradley, of Dove House Welfare Rights Service, said the cuts were about saving money for the Tory government.
Detailing the changes from DLA to the new PIP benefit and the fact those originally awarded DLA for life would now be required to undergo a compulsory assessment for PIP, she said people of ESA, JSA, housing benefit and tax credits would “all suffer” because of the cuts.
She added: “Let me be clear – this is not welfare reform this is welfare cuts to save money for the Tory government.
“Within the North West region it will take over £100 million out of the local economy which will have a knock on effect in terms of business and employment.”
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan told those present the Welfare Reform Bill was passed in Westminister and was now being implemented in England with “serious impacts.”
He added: “Not alone has the Welfare Reform Bill been passed, David Cameroon and the Tories have also brought in legislation that has now placed a cap on how much in welfare benefits families can claim.
“It is disturbing listening to the Tory annual conference with further drastic cuts being proposed.”
Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin told the meeting people didn’t realise the extent of the proposed cuts and that they would be affecting both people on benefits and those who were termed the “working poor” who were in receipt of working tax credits.
Ms McLaughlin, the chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, added: “Tonight is an important opportunity to share vital information about the cuts and the hardship they will create for people who are most vulnerable.
“I call on all the parties in the Assembly to unite in opposition to these cuts because they are going to affect all communities regardless if they are nationalist or unionist.”
Dermot O’Hara, manager of Destined, called on people to support the Communities Against Welfare Cuts rally taking place in Writer Square, Belfast, at 1.00pm on Saturday next, 11 October.
A bus will leaved the Destined Centre in Great James Street at 10.30am and everyone is welcome.
Speakers at the welfare rights meeting in Derry’s Tower Hotel were, from left, Dermot O’Hara, manager, Destined, Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin, Kathleen Bradley, Dove House Welfare Rights Service and SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan.
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