Mulholland warns DUP proposed welfare cuts would hit North Antrim families during energy crisis

North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland

Families across North Antrim could face deeper hardship if welfare spending is reduced to boost defence funding, according to Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland.

The party’s poverty spokesperson said calls from senior DUP figures to divert money away from welfare budgets were “catastrophically out of touch” with the pressures facing households during the ongoing energy crisis.

Her comments follow remarks from DUP leaders Arlene Foster and Gavin Robinson suggesting that funds could be redirected from welfare to defence spending.

“Wrong in any circumstances”

Ms Mulholland said taking resources from those on low incomes would be particularly damaging at a time when energy costs are placing severe strain on families.

“While Alliance supports the need for sustainable defence funding, taking it from those on low incomes would be wrong in any circumstances,” she said.

“This is particularly alarming during an energy crisis that is forcing more families to choose between heating and eating, especially in rural areas like North Antrim where reliance on oil is putting even more families under pressure.”

She added that Northern Ireland already experiences the highest level of fuel poverty anywhere in the UK.

Rural households under pressure

According to Ms Mulholland, rural communities such as those across North Antrim are especially vulnerable because many homes depend on heating oil rather than mains gas.

“Northern Ireland already has the highest rate of fuel poverty in the UK,” she said.

“Families across North Antrim and other rural communities who rely on welfare support are least able to cope with sudden price spikes for essentials like home heating oil – a pressure that has intensified in recent weeks.

“For a party that claims to champion ordinary people, the DUP is catastrophically out of touch with the struggles local families face every day.”

Brexit criticism raised

Ms Mulholland also linked current financial pressures to wider economic impacts following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

“Let’s also remember that the Exchequer has so little to spend on priorities like energy support, welfare and defence spending because of the chaotic hard Brexit pushed by the DUP,” she said.

“The UK economy is hundreds of billions of pound worse off today than if we remained in the EU, so perhaps it is time for the DUP to reflect on the role they’ve played in making our society and armed forces poorer, rather than punching down on those who are already facing such an uphill battle to make ends meet.”

At a glance

• Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has criticised suggestions to reduce welfare spending to increase defence funding.

• Her comments follow remarks from DUP figures Arlene Foster and Gavin Robinson.

• Mulholland said cutting welfare during the energy crisis would be “catastrophically out of touch”.

• She warned families in rural areas such as North Antrim are already under pressure due to reliance on heating oil.

• Northern Ireland has the highest rate of fuel poverty in the UK.

• The Alliance MLA said welfare recipients are least able to absorb sudden rises in energy costs.

• She also criticised the economic impact of Brexit, saying it has reduced funds available for public priorities.

• The debate comes as energy costs continue to put pressure on households across Northern Ireland.