PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: OFMDFM MUST ACT TO PROTECT VULNERABLE FROM SPIRALLING COST OF LIVING
 

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has today stated that the First and Deputy First Minister need to address the lack of any defined anti-poverty strategy in the budget due to the rapidly rising cost of living in the North.

Mr Burns said: “It is clear with the ever increasing cost of living there needs to be a response from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to protect the most vulnerable sections of our society. With the global downturn in the financial markets and reports of the ever tightening credit crunch it is easy for some to think that this phenomenon will only affect home owners and high flyers.

“However the truth is that the harsh reality is being felt in supermarkets, on High Streets and petrol station forecourts across the North. It is forcing people to make choices on which essentials they can afford to buy. That is a situation in which no one should find themselves.

“That is why the SDLP are asking the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to reconsider their decision not to allocate budgetary funds towards a dedicated anti poverty strategy. It was somewhat surprising that they failed to see which way the economic wind was blowing and plan strategically for the global recession and its effects on the North. Surely now is the time to reconsider that position, realise that a mistake has been made, and bring forward measures to help the sections of our society least able to defend themselves from the current period of financial uncertainty.”

ENDS