Welfare mitigations cliff edge approaching fast – Armstrong

Alliance spokesperson on Welfare, Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong, has said the Communities Minister needs to move fast to extend the welfare mitigations that are due to run out on 31 March. Kellie Armstrong said: “Shortly after taking up her post, the Communities Minister confirmed that she would continue to provide mitigation payments to offset the […]

Armstrong welcomes benefits news for new pensioners

Alliance’s Communities Spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has welcomed the Secretary of State for Work and Pension’s announcement that people who are on Universal Credit and reach State Pension Age will receive a run on, meaning no halt to benefits during the assessment period. Kellie Armstrong said: “This welcome move will mean over 200,000 new pensioners […]

Extension of welfare mitigations welcomed, but more clarity needed – Armstrong

Alliance spokesperson on welfare, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has welcomed the announcement of an extension of welfare mitigations to the bedroom tax, but says more clarity is needed. Kellie Armstrong said: “This announcement of an additional £23 million to protect people from the bedroom tax is welcome news to the 38,000 households who would be affected. […]

Brown says welfare system letting down those who need it most

Alliance South Down Westminster candidate Patrick Brown has said the welfare system is not working and letting down those who need it most. Councillor Brown said while the welfare system was set up to help the most vulnerable in our society, successive governments have introduced changes and cuts, leaving people in poverty. “Alliance was steadfast […]

PIP assessments negatively impacting people living with MS – McReynolds

East Belfast Alliance Councillor, Peter McReynolds, has said that assessments for Personal Independence Payments have caused great hardship and distress to people living with multiple sclerosis. Councillor McReynolds was commenting on a report released by the MS Society following a survey of nearly 900 people living in the UK with MS.   Councillor McReynolds said: […]

Lunn calls on Parliament to extend welfare mitigations

Alliance Communities spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has called on Parliament to extend mitigations offsetting the impact of welfare reform in Northern Ireland. Mr Lunn said a recent joint report from the House of Commons Work and Pensions and Northern Ireland Affairs Committees, which recommended continuing mitigations for a further four years from 2020, showed the […]