Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Today the Northern Ireland Assembly debates the Welfare Reform Bill. The Bill is of immense significance not least because it breaks the principle of parity. No longer will all claimants throughout the UK be paid the same benefits.
“While the relevant regulations have yet to be published, it seems Northern Ireland, because of Sinn Fein pressure in the lead up to Christmas, will continue to pay 6,600 families in Northern Ireland benefits in excess of the cap of £26,000, several hundred of whom would be capped if they lived in GB. We, at the expense of schools and hospitals, will continue to keep them at the standard to which they have become accustomed on public handouts. We will do that in perpetuity, according to Sinn Fein. How many millions this and other special concessions will cost no one really knows. If the cap in Great Britain drops to £23,000 Northern Ireland will pay yet more out of its block grant to those on benefits.
“There will be less money for health, education, roads and everything the block grant funds.
“Given that the pressure to break parity came from Sinn Fein it is interesting to note in which constituencies those who are set to benefit from the scheme live. West Belfast tops the list when it comes to the number of families which receive more than £26,000 in benefits.
“The full list, which I received from the Minister in response to a written question today is as follows:
West Belfast 850
North Belfast 570
Foyle 550
West Tyrone 510
Newry and Armagh 460
South Down 420
Upper Bann 420
Mid Ulster 370
Fermanagh and South Tyrone 300
East Londonderry 290
North Antrim 290
South Antrim 250
Strangford 250
South Belfast 250
East Belfast 240
Lagan Valley 220
East Antrim 210
North Down 150