Green Party leader Stephen Agnew MLA condemns DUP over welfare reform

GREEN Party MLA Steven Agnew said he is outraged at the DUP’s plans to block all amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill, apart from those of their own Minister.

“The Welfare Reform Bill proposes to implement cuts to the incomes of the poor, the sick and the disabled,” the Green Party Leader said.

“Devolution gives us the opportunity to amend the worst aspects of this Bill, or to vote in down altogether. I am outraged that the DUP have sought to block any meaningful amendments to this Bill.

“I have tabled a number of amendments which would have provided protection to some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“While all the amendments will still be debated that will be a farce as they now have no realistic hope of being passed.

“Instead, the DUP will hide being the Stormont House Agreement, a dodgy deal done behind closed doors, to justify their actions.

“The democratic legitimacy of the Assembly cannot be overridden by this deal between parties in secret.

“The debate and the decisions on welfare reform should be taken in full public view with full political accountability,” he added.