Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has said he will oppose cuts to housing benefit for those on Jobseekers Allowance for more than 12 months.

In a statement to the Assembly this morning, the Minister outlined the welfare reforms being proposed by the Coalition Government and his plans to ensure that Northern Ireland's most in need do not suffer greater need.

Speaking in the Assembly, on Tuesday, the minister said: "There are certain proposed changes, such as 10% cut in Housing Benefit for those on Jobseekers Allowance for more than twelve months that I will want to resolutely oppose, identify how to offset the damage and, indeed, determine if there are ways to avoid implementation here."

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Attwood added that he will again be meeting the Coalition Government's Welfare Minister, Lord Freud, on Monday to seek more freedom, resources and independence for Northern Ireland's welfare system.

He added: "While Social Security is a devolved matter, we are constrained by funding issues and the principle of parity, which sees an annual net flow of money into Northern Ireland measured in millions of pounds.

"It would be thoughtless folly if I, as the Social Development Minister, took action that put in greater need those already in need. I believe parity is an issue to consider and to scope out, but to do so in a rush would hurt those who we most need to protect.

"However, beyond negotiating with London, I will identify how the Department for Social Development and the Executive can help further. Indeed, I will be forwarding a 'remedies' paper to the Executive, recommending Executive-funded ways to help those in need and lessen the impact of benefit cuts."

(GK)