Tory threats and welfare cuts

» Declan Kearney

The Tory Work and Pensions minister pointed the finger at Sinn Féin for being opposed to welfare cuts. He’s right: Sinn Féin is opposed to austerity, North and South. We will defend the underprivileged

MIKE PENNING, Tory former NIO minister and now a minister at Work and Pensions, flew briefly into Belfast last week on a mission.

He threatened that unless his government’s cuts agenda is implemented here, penalties will be imposed on the Executive.

Incredibly, he said welfare cuts are a matter of fairness. He arrogantly accused those of us who oppose welfare cuts of burying our heads in the sand.  He trumpeted his working-class background – as if that made more acceptable the Conservative Party’s strategy to undermine the welfare rights of the most vulnerable.

The background of the messenger has no relevance when the message itself promises great hardship. Community NGO network NICVA has estimated a projected loss up to £750million from the local economy because of welfare cuts: that equates to £650 a year for every working adult.

Penning says it’s a “tough decision” but that ignores the devastating consequences for disadvantaged unionist and nationalist areas, low-income and unwaged families, the elderly, and physically and intellectually disabled citizens.

There will also be a knock-on effect for spending and jobs. The only guaranteed economic outcome from these cuts will be greater inequality.

Mike Penning pointed the finger at Sinn Féin for being opposed to welfare cuts. He’s right: Sinn Féin is opposed to austerity, North and South. We will defend the underprivileged.

Austerity and cuts won’t end this recession. The only viable alternative is economic stimulus.

So the Block Grant here should be restored to its previous level; Corporation Tax and other economic levers should be transferred immediately as a basis for further harmonising all-island economic co-operation and promoting balanced regional development and competitiveness.

British Government policy here must change. The British need to properly re-engage with the peace and political processes.

Significantly, Mike Penning didn’t stay around long enough to have that conversation.