People Before Profit Ballyarnett candidate Damien Doherty said,
“The Tory Secretary of State is exploiting the crisis created by cynical DUP obstructionism to impose further economic punishment on all communities here.
“Even before the budget was announced children have been targeted with vicious and callous cuts to holiday meal grants, baby books, school programmes and early years provision.
“This budget means our health service and many other vital public services will continue to struggle.
“Workers will be told there’s no money for pay rises.
“The vulnerable and the least well-off will suffer.
“We oppose Stormont, whether the Assembly is operating or not, being a vehicle for Tory austerity.
“No one accepts the Tory lie these cuts are necessary. We won’t accept the lie ‘there is no money’. And we should reject the idea these cuts are inevitable.
“The best way to push back is by putting feet on the street. We need to build the strikes and people power actions.
“Trade unions and community organisations have a vital role to play opposing cuts to services and demanding better for workers and the vulnerable.
“It’s urgent we build resistance to Tory austerity from the bottom-up – from our workplaces, our schools, our community centres and our Council’s.”
