SDLP leader criticizes UK benefit changes in Northern Ireland
The leader of the SDLP, Claire Hanna, criticized recent changes to the benefits system introduced by the UK government. She believes these changes are disempowering for Northern Ireland and should not be managed from Westminster. The government is aiming to save £5 billion per year by 2030, which will affect many claimants. The changes include making it harder for people with less severe conditions to get disability payments. Current claimants will see some benefits frozen, while new applicants may receive nearly half of what was previously available. Although Northern Ireland has a devolved benefits system, the administration often follows policies from England and Wales. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons stated that the Northern Ireland Executive lacks the funding to address the proposed cuts. Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall argued that the changes will create a more "pro-work system" while protecting those unable to work. Hanna urged for more local action, questioning the absence of an anti-poverty strategy and proper mental health support. Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart from the DUP agreed on the need for welfare reform but stressed the importance of supporting genuine claimants. Sorcha Eastwood from the Alliance Party highlighted that many people are worried about these changes. She emphasized that Northern Ireland deserves better leadership and care for its vulnerable citizens, especially in a wealthy country like the UK. The changes will impact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a benefit for those with long-term health conditions. Eligibility criteria will tighten beginning in November 2026, leading to more frequent assessments for many. Currently, nearly 218,000 people in Northern Ireland receive PIP, and the region has a higher rate of economic inactivity compared to the rest of the UK. Since 2019, long-term sickness in Northern Ireland has risen by one-third, with increasing worries about mental health issues among those classified as disabled.