Menu
02/03/2022
Assembly Backs Long-Term Protection From 'Bedroom Tax'
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that tens of thousands of households now have long-term protection from the so-called 'Bedroom Tax' because of legislation passed by the Assembly.
Making the announcement, Minister Hargey said: "By removing the end date for qualifying for support, this legislation will provide much needed and continued assistance to around 37,000 households, including some of the most vulnerable in society by shielding them from the financial impact of this cruel Tory tax.
"The legislation also requires the Department for Communities to monitor and report on the operation of the bespoke welfare mitigation schemes we have in place here. This is something I feel is particularly important in order to ensure we can continue to target support where it is most needed. The report will also provide the basis for a future assessment of the welfare mitigation schemes and whether other amendments or extensions are required in order to protect people as much as possible."
The Minister concluded: "I want to thank all those who have given their support to this important Bill and to its speedy progression through the Assembly within such a short space of time. I also welcome the positive response to this Bill from those organisations who were at the forefront of the campaign to extend welfare mitigation payments and to ensure that we did not introduce a new cliff edge for the people who depend on these payments."
Chair of the NI Welfare Reform Mitigations Working Group, Professor Eileen Evason said: "I am delighted that a political consensus has been reached regarding our vital welfare mitigations. These were introduced in 2016 to give the most vulnerable protection against the swingeing benefit cuts being imposed on the UK as a whole which have been deeply damaging.
"All available evidence clearly references our long term issues which necessitate long term mitigation. The bedroom tax would be particularly harmful here given the make-up of our social housing stock, therefore putting the bedroom tax mitigation on a permanent footing is to be welcomed and will avoid the arrears and evictions seen elsewhere. Similarly, the benefit cap, which entirely impacts on families with children and where families have their needs assessed and are then deliberately awarded lower support, is particularly cruel and hurtful towards women and children. Continued mitigation is also to be welcomed, together with the continuation of mitigations directed towards people with disabilities and their carers.
"I would wish to acknowledge the considerable effort and contribution made by a wide range of representative bodies on this issue, not least Minister Hargey and political representatives across all parties who have acted to protect the most vulnerable in our society at a time of particular hardship and crisis."
Making the announcement, Minister Hargey said: "By removing the end date for qualifying for support, this legislation will provide much needed and continued assistance to around 37,000 households, including some of the most vulnerable in society by shielding them from the financial impact of this cruel Tory tax.
"The legislation also requires the Department for Communities to monitor and report on the operation of the bespoke welfare mitigation schemes we have in place here. This is something I feel is particularly important in order to ensure we can continue to target support where it is most needed. The report will also provide the basis for a future assessment of the welfare mitigation schemes and whether other amendments or extensions are required in order to protect people as much as possible."
The Minister concluded: "I want to thank all those who have given their support to this important Bill and to its speedy progression through the Assembly within such a short space of time. I also welcome the positive response to this Bill from those organisations who were at the forefront of the campaign to extend welfare mitigation payments and to ensure that we did not introduce a new cliff edge for the people who depend on these payments."
Chair of the NI Welfare Reform Mitigations Working Group, Professor Eileen Evason said: "I am delighted that a political consensus has been reached regarding our vital welfare mitigations. These were introduced in 2016 to give the most vulnerable protection against the swingeing benefit cuts being imposed on the UK as a whole which have been deeply damaging.
"All available evidence clearly references our long term issues which necessitate long term mitigation. The bedroom tax would be particularly harmful here given the make-up of our social housing stock, therefore putting the bedroom tax mitigation on a permanent footing is to be welcomed and will avoid the arrears and evictions seen elsewhere. Similarly, the benefit cap, which entirely impacts on families with children and where families have their needs assessed and are then deliberately awarded lower support, is particularly cruel and hurtful towards women and children. Continued mitigation is also to be welcomed, together with the continuation of mitigations directed towards people with disabilities and their carers.
"I would wish to acknowledge the considerable effort and contribution made by a wide range of representative bodies on this issue, not least Minister Hargey and political representatives across all parties who have acted to protect the most vulnerable in our society at a time of particular hardship and crisis."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 February 2022
Assembly Passes Legislation To Close 'Loopholes' In Welfare Mitigation Schemes
Legislation to close 'loopholes' in welfare mitigation schemes has been passed by the Assembly, Enacted by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, the legislation means that mitigation payments will be available to more people who currently have their benefits reduced because of the 'bedroom tax' and benefit cap.
Assembly Passes Legislation To Close 'Loopholes' In Welfare Mitigation Schemes
Legislation to close 'loopholes' in welfare mitigation schemes has been passed by the Assembly, Enacted by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, the legislation means that mitigation payments will be available to more people who currently have their benefits reduced because of the 'bedroom tax' and benefit cap.
16 November 2021
Panel Appointed To Review Welfare Mitigation Measures
An Independent Advisory Panel has been appointed to review welfare mitigation measures in Northern Ireland, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. The Independent Advisory Panel will be chaired by Les Allamby, former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
Panel Appointed To Review Welfare Mitigation Measures
An Independent Advisory Panel has been appointed to review welfare mitigation measures in Northern Ireland, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. The Independent Advisory Panel will be chaired by Les Allamby, former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
26 October 2022
Hargey Welcomes New Report On Welfare Mitigation Schemes
The findings of an independent review of welfare mitigation schemes published by the Department for Communities has been welcomed by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
Hargey Welcomes New Report On Welfare Mitigation Schemes
The findings of an independent review of welfare mitigation schemes published by the Department for Communities has been welcomed by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
24 August 2022
Alliance Calls For Publication Of Welfare Mitigation Measures
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for recommendations from the independent welfare mitigation measures to be published as soon as possible. It comes after the Strangford MLA wrote to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to seek an update on when the independent review of the mitigations would be published.
Alliance Calls For Publication Of Welfare Mitigation Measures
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for recommendations from the independent welfare mitigation measures to be published as soon as possible. It comes after the Strangford MLA wrote to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to seek an update on when the independent review of the mitigations would be published.
06 August 2019
Urgent Plan Needed To Sustain Welfare Mitigation - SDLP
The SDLP has called on the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities to prepare an urgent plan to sustain welfare mitigations in the event that a deal to restore power sharing government cannot be reached.
Urgent Plan Needed To Sustain Welfare Mitigation - SDLP
The SDLP has called on the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities to prepare an urgent plan to sustain welfare mitigations in the event that a deal to restore power sharing government cannot be reached.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
