People Before Profit Councillor for The Moor Maeve O’Neill said,
“Budget cuts planned by the Tory Secretary of State will have a devastating impact on residents across The Moor.
“I’ve spoken with many households in Creggan, the Bogside, the Brandywell and the Fountain who’ve been hit hard by Tory welfare reforms, rent hikes, pay cuts and DUP obstruction.
“The big parties have done virtually nothing to help families during the cost of living crisis.
“Sinn Féin and the SDLP voted against People Before Profit’s motion in Stormont to freeze private rents. They sat on their hands as Housing Associations and the Housing Executive put up rents.
“The SDLP and Sinn Féin tried to block People Before Profit’s motion for a Council Emergency Hardship Grant.
“Sinn Féin, SDLP and Alliance all joined the DUP to add to the pressure most people are facing by hiking Council rates, slashing Council services and putting up Council prices for swimming and parking.
“For many residents struggling to pay their bills in The Moor there was disbelief and anger at the sight of party leaders joining the Tories and DUP at a grotesque event costing £250 million to lavish praise on a billionaire.
“People Before Profit believes as James Connolly did that political representatives need to act as disturbers of political peace when there is poverty and injustice.
“We haven’t been silent and won’t be silent while the Tories, Stormont and Council inflict further hardship on Derry. We are committed to using our Council platforms to build a people powered fightback for change from the bottom-up.”
