‘People power needed to reverse Universal Credit cut’

PEOPLE Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin has said that people power on a scale with the Poll Tax movement is needed to reverse the £20 a week Universal Credit cut.

Said Cllr Harkin: “The Tories always put the interests of elites first so it’s no surprise they ploughed ahead with a vicious cut to Universal Credit that will hammer the least well-off this winter.

“It will take a poll tax scale people power movement to stop the Tories from building out of the pandemic on the backs of ordinary people.

“What goes for Westminster also goes for Stormont. The parties in the Executive now have a responsibility and opportunity to protect people from the Universal Credit cut.

“The Executive can’t shrug its shoulders again and tell people nothing can be done.

“It was Executive parties who first agreed to bring in Universal Credit, PIP, Capita, the Bedroom Tax and the Two Child policy as part of punishing Tory welfare reforms in the first place.

“In doing so the Executive turned its back on working class communities and prioritised getting a massive tax cut for rich corporations.

“They cannot be allowed to turn their backs on workers and the vulnerable again.

“We are calling for increased pressure on the Executive from community organisations, campaigning groups, trade unions and others to demand they step in with funding now to make sure no one is punished by the Universal Credit cut.

“The Executive needs to feel the pressure of feet in the streets.

“A poll tax scale people power response is going to be necessary to push the Tories and Stormont Executive away from policies prioritising billionaires and elites at the expense of everyone else.”

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