Miliband pulls the rug from under Sinn Fein and SDLP over welfare reform – Dickson

Alliance Social Development spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband MP, has dismissed the Sinn Fein and SDLP claim that a Labour Government would repeal welfare reform. Mr Miliband has indicated that he would only seek to abolish the bedroom tax in the UK, a concession that has already been given to Northern Ireland.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: “Sinn Fein and the SDLP have been making the argument that we should not seek to introduce welfare reform as a Labour Government would repeal it if they won the General Election next year. Ed Miliband has now said that Labour would not repeal the welfare reforms. This was Sinn Fein and the SDLP’s last hope, but this is clearly no longer an option.

“Ed Miliband has now told Northern Ireland to move ahead with the introduction of welfare reform. He has indicated that a Labour Government would only abolish the bedroom tax, a concession that has already been promised to Northern Ireland.

“Sinn Fein and the SDLP have no more arguments to make as to why welfare reform should not be introduced. Their opposition to the introduction of the legislation will negatively impact on other public services as Ministers are forced to make large cuts to pay for the Westminster fines that are being levied following our failure to implement welfare reform.”

ENDS