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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Anna McAree

Councillors say council financial crisis can't be dumped on those in cost of living hardship

Some councillors at Derry City and Strabane District Council are to propose urgent campaign of action to avoid Council financial crisis.

People Before Profit councillors Shaun Harkin and Maeve O'Neill worry that financial hardship within the council will have a negative impact on those already struggling with the cost of living crisis in the city and district.

They said: "The Council is facing into serious financial uncertainty. We are proposing a campaign of action to stop a Council austerity crisis being dumped on the backs of those facing cost of living hardship.

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"We are opposed to adding further costs and financial burdens on people and organisations who are already being hammered by rising costs for food, energy, rent and much more.

"Councillors are being told Council prices need to increase along with reduced services and potential cuts to funding support for a range of organisations.

"Even with all these painful measures, households, organisations and businesses across the District would still face a very significant rates increase. This is simply unacceptable.

"We don't agree with some who are already saying 'nothing can be done'. We are proposing the Council agree to an urgent campaign of action to protect residents, services, jobs and organisations.

"Corporate profiteering is driving inflation while central government, both Westminster and Stormont, has been negligent in response. When BP announces mega-profits of £900 per second we can't say 'there is no money'. We need to demand government intervention to protect the Council area.

"There are a range of ways the Council's funding gap can be met and we should pursue all avenues. We can't wait until February to start this discussion. We urge support for our motion and encourage anyone concerned to attend the public meeting."

Alongside local financial hardships, People Before Profit representatives say the Autumn statement from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deepen inequality in the city.

Shaun Harkin said: ""Westminster Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget is a continuation of Tory class war and will deepen inequality for households in Derry.

"Following the chaos of the Truss/Kwarteng mini-budget, the Tories want this budget projected as balanced and fair - but it isn't.

"Freezes on personal allowance and income tax thresholds will hit workers wages and punish those who haven't benefited from ferocious corporate profiteering.

"Energy bills will be higher for the vast majority of people and this will hit people across the North disproportionally.

"There's still no clarity on when people here will receive the £400 energy support or heating oil payments.

"Hunt's budget won't tackle the cost of living crisis many face and does nothing to address regional economic inequalities afflicting Derry and the North West."

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