Debate contribution: Social Security Reform and Economic Inactivity
Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on .
- MLA
- Ms Emma Sheerin
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 1 April 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Social Security Reform and Economic Inactivity
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4877096
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I wish that we did not have to have this motion. The reality is that we are having this debate because, once again, the British Government are choosing to prioritise pumping billions into weapons of war rather than supporting the most vulnerable in society. They are choosing to cruelly punish the long-term sick, disabled people, families, the elderly and children — the people who rely on the public services that we all, at one stage, took for granted. Some are shocked; I am not. Nobody should be surprised by the actions of this British Government, because they are, after all, just another British Government. This is a slap in the face for people living with a disability or long-term sickness who rely on PIP payments to survive, many of whom rely on PIP payments to be able to do the work that they so want to do. It is a slap in the face for workers and families who are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. It is a slap in the face for those who keep our public services going even in the most difficult circumstances. The message from Westminster is crystal clear: they do not care about the people of this island. No politicians in London ever did or ever will. Once again, they have proved that the British Government care more about bombs and proving military might than the welfare of our citizens or the future of our children. Let us send a clear and united message here today: we stand with our sick and disabled people, families, young people and our elderly population. We stand for good public services and proper standards of living for all the people whom we represent. We stand for compassion, supporting people, decency, dignity and fairness. There is a better, brighter future available to us all: a new and united Ireland where everyone, free from punitive British decision-making, can prosper.
319 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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