08/02/2011
Views Sought On Disabilty Payments
The Social Development Minister Alex Attwood is calling on the public to voice their views on the reform of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
With over 185,000 people in receipt of DLA in Northern Ireland, and with just days left to go before the consultation closes, Minister Attwood (pictured) is urging those with an interest in the changes to go online and speak their minds.
"The consultation is a crucial element in allowing the people of Northern Ireland to let London know why there are different circumstances in Northern Ireland, including on DLA.
"It provides an important opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland to contribute to the debate on the Westminster Government's proposals to reform Disability Living Allowance and I would urge those with an interest in these proposals to have their views heard now," he said.
Just a week ago, after a Joint Ministerial Council meeting in the Cabinet Office in London, Minister Attwood said he had raised welfare payments at the highest level: "The top item on the agenda of the three devolved governments with the London Government was welfare reform.
"I again made it clear to the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and to Lord Freud, the Welfare Reform Minister, that much of the welfare reform agenda appeared not to recognise the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland, including the high levels of disadvantage and our continuing economic difficulties.
"The welfare reforms that London thinks may work in the South East of England is not going to work in the North East of Ireland. I again argued that when the Assembly legislates for welfare reform our law and our practice must recognise our circumstances," he said.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and the leaders from the three devolved administrations attended.
See: UK Urged To Fund Infrastructure
(GK)
With over 185,000 people in receipt of DLA in Northern Ireland, and with just days left to go before the consultation closes, Minister Attwood (pictured) is urging those with an interest in the changes to go online and speak their minds.
"The consultation is a crucial element in allowing the people of Northern Ireland to let London know why there are different circumstances in Northern Ireland, including on DLA.
"It provides an important opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland to contribute to the debate on the Westminster Government's proposals to reform Disability Living Allowance and I would urge those with an interest in these proposals to have their views heard now," he said.
Just a week ago, after a Joint Ministerial Council meeting in the Cabinet Office in London, Minister Attwood said he had raised welfare payments at the highest level: "The top item on the agenda of the three devolved governments with the London Government was welfare reform.
"I again made it clear to the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and to Lord Freud, the Welfare Reform Minister, that much of the welfare reform agenda appeared not to recognise the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland, including the high levels of disadvantage and our continuing economic difficulties.
"The welfare reforms that London thinks may work in the South East of England is not going to work in the North East of Ireland. I again argued that when the Assembly legislates for welfare reform our law and our practice must recognise our circumstances," he said.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and the leaders from the three devolved administrations attended.
See: UK Urged To Fund Infrastructure
(GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
