Siobhán worked with Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick at the University of Ulster and Andy McClenaghan from the British Association of Social Workers to hold an event in Stormont called Crushed by the Cost of Living.
The event brought together a range of speakers from academia, charities and the third sector working on behalf of those who will be the most impacted by the crisis along with a number of people who spoke passionately about the impact of the crisis on their lives. These very powerful contributions from people with lived experience outlined the fear, worry, cold and hunger they and their families were living with as a result of recent cost of living increases. Many pleaded directly with local politicians to do something to help them get through this Winter.
Politicians in attendance at the event were presented with four fully costed emergency measures designed to protect low-income households from the worst impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis:
- PAUSE SOCIAL SECURITY DEBT FOR SIX MONTHS
Stop social security debt deductions from low-income households to maximise monthly income.
- RE-INSTATE THE £20 UPLIFT TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND EXTEND TO LEGACY BENEFIT
Target more cash to working and non-working households to give families the dignity of affording basic essentials.
- A ONE-OFF PAYMENT OF £500 TO THOSE ENTITLED TO DISABILITY BENEFIT OR CARERS ALLOWANCE
Those entitled to Child DLA, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance will receive a £500 payment to recognise additional costs.
- REMOVE THE TWO-CHILD LIMIT FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND CHILD TAX CREDIT
All children in a family should receive benefit entitlement to ensure that no child goes hungry this winter.
You can watch the event again here.
