People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin said that Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has been told to freeze profiteering and cuts, not older people and their Winter Fuel Payment.
Said the Foyleside councillor: “The message is clear. It’s time to freeze profiteering and austerity, not older people in their homes.
“We fully commend UNITE and trade unions on successfully winning the vote at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment and implement Wealth Taxes to raise government revenue.
“250,000 older people across the North will have the Winter Fuel Payment stripped away this winter because of the callous decision by Starmer and the Stormont Executive.
“As we get closer to winter months, many are increasingly anxious about the impact the cut will have.
“If we want this cut and and other harmful policies overturned, sustained bottom-up campaigning will be required.
“We want to see the trade union movement here help organise a determined challenge to the Stormont Executive to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment, protect older people and immediately deliver on its legally binding responsibility to enact an Anti-Poverty Strategy to address inequality.
More people power campaigning and actions are planned and we encourage people to support them and get involved.”
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