Siobhán has been working with Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick at the University of Ulster and Andy McClenaghan from the British Association of Social Workers, both Cliff Edge working group members to organise a Cost of Living Crisis event at Stormont. This event is being held on Wednesday 21st September at 10am in the Long Gallery at Stormont.
Siobhán will be speaking at this event about the Consortium’s research on Women Living with Debt and the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on women and their debts.
The Crushed by the Cost of Living event will bring together a range of speakers from organisations working with those experiencing poverty to those with lived experience of this crisis. It will make the case for four emergency asks in terms of social security benefits to help people here get through the Winter months. The key asks are:
- 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.
Documents supporting this event and the emergency asks which are being called for at the event are available here:
