The £20 Universal Credit cut has been branded a ‘national disgrace’ as local representatives in Co Fermanagh and Co Tyrone called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reverse the cut.
The weekly £20 payment which was introduced during the Covid 19 pandemic came to an end on Wednesday, with the latest figures showing more than 6,000 people will be affected in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
6,550 people in the area will be affected by the cut, with 6,330 more in West Tyrone and 6,090 in Mid Ulster.
At a meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on Tuesday, independent councillor Josephine Deehan said the cuts from the UK government reflect badly on society.
“I think that this is a national disgrace and that it reflects very badly on our society that in their hour of need we cannot support needy families, vulnerable families,” Cllr Deehan said.
“That extra £20 per week was an absolute lifeline to many people, and it’s something that must be continued and it’s absolutely critical to their welfare and wellbeing that that be continued.
“If Boris Johnson has a shred of humanity, then he should listen with his heart as well as with his ears to the pleas from right around the country that this is totally unacceptable."
Independent councillor Emmet McAleer said the issue was a matter of ‘life and death’.
“Really it’s not just pathetic, it’s a matter of life and death. That’s how severe this is and we have to take the strongest possible stance that we can,” Cllr McAleer said.
“It’s very unfortunate that the Stormont government and the ministers up there aren’t willing to consider paying out this lifeline to the people of the area.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew said it was a disgrace that the support was ending.
“Boris Johnson and his Tory cronies are tone-deaf to the needs and realities of working families - these are people who wouldn't think twice about spending £20 on a glass of wine or some fancy brandy
"But the reality for many families in our communities is that £20 will be the choice between feeding their children and heating their homes,” she said.
