SDLP Social development spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA is calling on the Assembly to support his bid to have the direct payment of Housing Benefit to landlords retained despite its proposed removal in the Welfare Reform Bill.

Mr Durkan said: "Over the past year the SDLP have been meeting with thousands of individuals who are being adversely impacted upon by so-called welfare reform and many agencies and organisations tasked with assisting them. We have been consistent and vociferous in our opposition to many of the draconian proposals of the Tory-led coalition government and our resistance to the implementation here in the North.

"The introduction of Universal Credit will cause many problems not only for the vulnerable people whose welfare is being attacked but also for advice workers, charities, government agencies and significantly providers of housing.

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"We are already seeing the impact of cuts to housing benefit-through changes to the single room rate age limit and the impending enforcement of under-occupancy legislation. These policies will lead to serious hardship which can only be compounded by a move towards a monthly single household payment of benefit. The fact that this payment is to include Housing Benefit gives me and others great cause for concern.

"Already with less money coming into households, many of them vulnerable, people are very likely to have difficulty budgeting and their tenancy could be compromised due to an inability to manage their new found financial responsibility.

"The Housing Executive, housing associations and private landlords face the very real prospect of being unable to collect them. Claimants will face an even bleaker prospect as a consequence; debt and homelessness.

"We must do all in our power as an Assembly to minimise the negative impact of welfare reform on our people and I believe our proposal to de-couple the payment of Housing Benefit from the other elements of Universal Credit and retain its direct payments to landlords is achievable.

"It is my belief, following negotiations between the SDLP and Lord Freud, that the IT system we have in place has the capacity to do this.

"I am hopeful of the other parties support as it appears to be cost neutral, therefore making it difficult to hide behind the excuse of parity for not protecting the people of Northern Ireland.

"It is vital that all parties work together to identify and explore what flexibilities we might be afforded if we are taking our role as legislators seriously and if we are to be taken seriously as a devolved government."

(CD)