Derry & Strabane council urged to implement 'hardship emergency fund'

By Q Radio News

There is a call for the Derry and Strabane council to use its financial reserves towards a hardship emergency fund. 

People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin says the body should use £3m in unspent Covid-19 funding to help people cope with the rising cost of living.

The money is currently being kept in reserve for a rainy day emergency.

Mr Harkin says the rainy day is here and he wants the cash used to lift people out of financial hardship.

"More can be done and must be done to protect people across our communities reeling from exorbitant energy prices and household costs. And the price hikes keep coming" - Cllr Shaun Harkin.https://t.co/4DPmtq7WqE

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 23, 2022

Mr Harkin said:

"The response from government, business and regulators to the cost of living crisis has been criminally inadequate. 

"More can be done and must be done to protect people across our communities reeling from exorbitant energy prices and household costs. And the price hikes keep coming. 

"Pre-pandemic research documented 30% of people in Derry and Strabane District living below the poverty line.

"There is no doubt the pandemic, rising costs and new tax burdens are deepening poverty faced by many and pushing more households into financial hardship. 

"We are calling on the Council to initiate a Hardship Emergency Fund using almost £3m in unspent Covid funding that's being held in reserve for a rainy day. The rainy day is here. 

"We are also calling for the Department for Communities and energy companies to match fund the Council's contribution to the Hardship Fund. 

"A £3m, £6m or £9m hardship fund would allow the Council to take the lead in assisting as many individuals and households across the District as much as possible. 

"Workers are being told they must accept real terms wage cuts. Universal Credit has been cut.

"But prices, along with profits for many big companies, are going up.

"Stormont found money for all sorts of handouts to elites and the politically connected throughout the pandemic - where is the urgency now to take radical action to protect workers, the vulnerable and struggling organisations? 

"It is widely accepted Stormont has not done enough to protect people from financial hardship - while there's been a major transfer of wealth to the super-rich and corporations.

"There is an onus on Council to take whatever action it can to protect people here and press for decisive action from government, corporations and regulators. 

"We are calling for everyone to support the demand for a Council-led Emergency Hardship Fund and to back calls for real above inflation pay increases, price controls and a new Wealth Tax on the super-rich and corporations."