Statement from Cliff Edge Coalition - Extension of the Welfare Supplementary Payment Schemes

The Cliff Edge Coalition welcomes the announcement from the Minister for Communities on Thursday 5 December that the Welfare Supplementary Payment Schemes are to be extended for another three years.

We thank the Minister, elected representatives and officials who have worked to bring forward this legislation to protect people across Northern Ireland from this impending cliff edge.

The Cliff Edge Coalition has campaigned tenaciously to secure this policy and we thank our members for their continued input and dedication.

This is a monumental move in the right direction however there is more to be done.  We argue for the need to expand the protections by way of addressing our three key asks;

• Resolve the five-week wait for Universal Credit
• Remove the two-child limit
• Provide support for private renters affected by the Local Housing Allowance

-The Cliff Edge Coalition Working Group

Should you like to meet with the Cliff Edge Coalition Working Group or receive further information on our work, please contact holly.knox@lawcentreni.org