It’s one thing to criticise. It’s quite another to suggest solutions. In previous years PPR organised multiple individuals and families against the then Conservative Government’s welfare reforms.

The Right to Work Right to Welfare Group’s campaign led to the creation of public sector jobs, challenged the narratives of austerity and developed a new and better system around social security assessments. This human rights checklist, known as the People’s Proposal (see appendix B) was a simple way for benefit assessment officials at the Department of Communities to test that their decisions were not going to impact claimants’ rights.

The then Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín agreed that the checklist could be piloted. But after no action was taken, the group met again with DfC officials, who denied that any such Ministerial Commitment had been made. When the group challenged them to release the minutes of the meeting under Freedom of Information law, they refused.

Just three years ago, the group followed up on the People’s Proposal with rights based research among advice workers over a 6 week period. Across around 200 cases the group found that social security assessment processes were failing people, leaving more than 7 in 10 people without access the minimum basic level of essentials.  

It all begs the question -  if a group of unemployed and disabled people could remake the way in which social security is delivered -  why can’t Government?

If you are worried about how the proposed changes may affect you, please be assured that many of them are not due to start for some time and some are subject to further consultation before being put into place. If you’d like to get advice about your social security entitlements, please follow the links below.

• East Belfast Independent Advice Centre 028 9073 5690

• Advice North West 0300 303 3650

• Advice NI 0800 915 4604

Bear in mind that advice services may be very busy as lots of people are wondering how these changes may affect them.