By Vivienne Russell
16 February 2011
Alex Attwood said he had told Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and welfare reform minister Lord Freud that ‘when the Assembly legislates for welfare reform, our law and our practice must recognise our circumstances’.
He added: ‘I am determined to keep making this argument so that reform which is unworkable is derailed, reform that hits the most vulnerable hardest is prevented and that London gives flexibilities to Northern Ireland around welfare, protecting those in need.’
Attwood was speaking after the February meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council.
16 February 2011
Northern Ireland’s social development minister is arguing that Westminster’s planned welfare reforms will not work in the province, with its particularly high levels of disadvantage and economic difficulties.
Alex Attwood said he had told Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and welfare reform minister Lord Freud that ‘when the Assembly legislates for welfare reform, our law and our practice must recognise our circumstances’.
He added: ‘I am determined to keep making this argument so that reform which is unworkable is derailed, reform that hits the most vulnerable hardest is prevented and that London gives flexibilities to Northern Ireland around welfare, protecting those in need.’
Attwood was speaking after the February meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council.
