Families across the board are being hit hard by the rising cost of living and SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has said that more attention must be paid by Executive Ministers to the disproportionate impact of the cost-of-living crisis on women.
It follows the publication of a new report on Women Living with Debt by the Consortium for the Regional Support for Women in Disadvantaged and Rural Areas.
The Foyle MLA said: "The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone, but the truth is that it is not affecting everyone equally.
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"The new report published yesterday should be a wake-up call to our Ministers that we need to be investigating and addressing the disproportionate impact of the current crisis on women and ensuring that the needs of women are reflected in the solutions we are putting forward.
"Personal debt in Northern Ireland is higher than any part of Great Britain and 12% of adults here have no savings at all. We also know that women are more likely to take up part-time employment, work in sectors that are typically lower paid and are therefore financially more vulnerable to debt.
"As the cost-of-living crisis pushes more people into debt and poverty, I am seriously concerned that women, in particular, will bear the brunt of this. It’s shameful that in modern society, the failure of our government to provide an adequate social security net has been reflected in women forced to take on debt to pay for essentials. We also know the impact that this can have in terms of mental health.
“In this report, women have called for greater access to affordable credit for low-income families as well as easier access to help and advice for money issues.
"I have today tabled Assembly questions to the Economy Minister asking him what consideration his Department has given to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on women. I’ve also asked the Communities Minister what assessment she is making of the report and its recommendations.
“Many women feel abandoned by the government and do not feel that their needs are being reflected or even included to the extent that is necessary in public policy. It is time that this changed.”
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