Fears housing benefits cuts could see suicide rate spiral
Community leaders in Derry last night warned of a spiralling suicide rate among young people if cuts to housing benefit are introduced here.
A prominent Bogside community worker called for street protests against the imminent cuts to housing benefit which will hit younger tenants hardest.
Kathleen Bradley, Community Assist Officer at Dove House, called on the people of Derry “to take to the streets now and ensure these cuts are not forced on Northern Ireland.”
Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan, the party’s spokesperson on welfare, also warned that the cuts will add to the “overwhelming sense of hopelessness among our youth”.
Proposed changes include reducing the amount of housing benefit paid to those under 35 from £85 to £49 per week and cuts of up to 25 per cent for under occupation of bedrooms.
According to Ms. Bradley: “This is a spare bedroom tax. Those family homes in which the children have moved out would have to be surrendered by the tenant if they cannot meet the additional cost.”
The cuts also include expectations that children under 16 of the same gender would share a bedroom, with children under 10 of mixed gender also expected to share. The changes are due to take effect in April of next year after discussion in the Assembly.
Kathleen Bradley said: “This needs a full day’s debate. The people of Derry need to let their politicians know it isn’t good enough.”
The Department of Social Development last week revealed that 1,538 under 25 year-olds in Derry are in receipt of housing benefit. Mark H Durkan, who tabled the question requesting the figures, warned: “The consequences of these cuts could be catastrophic for our society. We cannot afford to lose any more of our young people to emigration, prison or suicide. It is essential that the Social Development Minister and political parties do not sit idly by and allow the harmful changes to the benefits system being proposed at Westminster to be directly enacted in Northern Ireland.”
Kathleen Bradley urged Derry to “sit up and listen” and said: “It is time to take to the streets. These cuts will lead to a sea change in the social and living conditions in Derry. Those who are unemployed and under 35 won’t be able to live in a place of their own. It is not their fault there is no work locally. People won’t be able to survive, it is that simple.
“We are staring down the barrel of a gun. These cuts will lead to an increase in suicide and mental health problems. What effect will it have on someone living on the most basic of income?
“Their unemployment benefit is calculated at the least amount of money required to survive; people will have to top up their rent from their £71 per week dole. For many it will be a choice of food on their plate or a roof over their head. There will be a lot more suicides”.
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Weather for Derry
Saturday 25 May 2013
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Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 17 C
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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