'People are struggling to put food on the table' - Unanimous backing for cost-of-living motion

A motion on the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, calling on Mid Ulster District Council officers to identify areas where Council support provision to struggling residents could possibly be enhanced, met with unanimous approval recently.

Part of the motion, tabled by Councillor Nuala McLernon at the September 24 monthly meeting of the local authority, was worded as follows: “That this Council expresses its serious concern at the continuing impact of the cost-of-living crisis on households across our district; commends the significant work already being carried out by Council officers, alongside the vital work of the community and voluntary sector, to support those most affected by these pressures; believes that the proactive, locally-led response can help support residents and alleviate some of the financial pressures facing households over the coming months.

“This Council will undertake an immediate review of existing Council initiatives and support relating to the cost of living; identify where existing support can be strengthened and where additional resources may be required; and bring forward a report to outline the review findings, including options for further practical measures, where possible, to support residents experiencing financial hardship throughout the winter months.”

Outlining her thinking behind her motion, the Sinn Féin representative for Torrent DEA said: “For many households across our district, the cost-of-living crisis has not gone away.

“People are still feeling the pressure of high household bills. We can already see increases in the cost of heating our homes, fuel at the pumps, and putting food on the table. As we move towards the winter months, those pressures will inevitably increase.

“I want to acknowledge the significant work already being undertaken by our council officers and the support that is being provided across the district. I also want to recognise the enormous contribution of our community and voluntary sector.

“All of these initiatives help ease pressure on household budgets in different ways.

“This is simply about taking a step back, looking collectively at all that we are currently doing, and asking: can we do better where possible? Can we make people more aware of the support that is already available?

“Are there other practical measures that could make a difference to households experiencing financial hardship over the winter months, particularly with the rising cost of home heating oil? That is really the purpose of this motion.

“Importantly, the motion is not to pre-empt the outcome of that review, nor is it to commit the Council here tonight to any particular initiative or level of expenditure.

“It’s asking our officers to look at what we currently provide, identify where support can be strengthened and where additional resources may be required, and bring a report back to members outlining the findings and the options available to us. Members then can consider those options on their merits.”

Seconding Councillor McLernon’s motion, Councillor Eimear Carney (Sinn Féin, Torrent DEA) commented: “I think at a time when food costs, household bills and fuel are rising, we must do all we can to support residents across Mid Ulster and relieve pressure where we can.”

Councillor Malachy Quinn (SDLP, Torrent DEA) remarked that Stormont and Westminster had a duty to act as well: “I welcome the practical focus of this motion, and the proposal to review what the Council is already doing and examine whether more can be done.

“While I agree with the sentiments in the motion, responsibility for responding to the cost-of-living crisis cannot simply pass down to local councils. There are decisions that need to be taken at Westminster.

“There are things we can do here in Mid Ulster, but there are also powers, budgets and responsibilities sitting at Stormont, and people are entitled to expect those powers to be used as well.

“The SDLP has been calling for an Executive-wide response and for practical interventions: support with home heating oil, investment in warmer and more energy-efficient homes, and measures that can reduce transport costs.

“We support tonight’s motion. But I would also like to make the point that tackling the cost of living has to involve every level of government accepting its responsibilities. Council should do what it can, Westminster should do what it can, and the Executive, including parties who bring motions like this to local Councils, must also use the considerable powers and resources available to it.

Councillor Dan Kerr (Independent, Torrent DEA) mentioned his own involvement with a local food bank, and was scathing in his criticism of those in power who, as he sees it, are not doing enough to address the cost-of-living crisis: “I volunteer in a local food bank and dealing with poverty on a weekly basis is increasing.

“Public confidence in politicians is low at the minute. In recent times there were significant pay rises for MLAs, £14,000 last March and then another £2,000 which is proposed for their new term next May. I just feel that this money should have been directed towards dealing with poverty.

“While I fully support the motion, I think some people need reality checks and need to divert finances into tackling poverty and not just talking about it, waffling about it and posting on social media. They need to get into the front line and try to tackle poverty.”

Councillor Mark Robinson (DUP, Clogher Valley DEA) called on the Government to cut fuel taxes, and on Mid Ulster District Council to improve signposting when it comes to helping residents facing financial difficulties: “We believe the Government should now cut fuel duty while global prices remain high, and they must scrap net-zero taxes and the costs that are being borne by the taxpayer.

“VAT charges on home heating oil should be zero-rated until it is clear that the current global instability impacting oil markets has settled.

“The DUP has been consistent in calling for the UK Government to act and take practical measures to cut fuel duty and save customers money at the pumps, remove VAT from domestic heating oil until markets settle, and carry out a cost-benefit analysis of net-zero policies.

“The UK should also prioritise more local energy production in light of unsustainable reliance on foreign imports of oil and gas.

“Filling up my own car this week, I paid £1.96 a litre at the pump, which took just short of £100 to fill the car. This week I [also] paid £1.10 a litre for heating oil, compared to September last year when it was 53p a litre. It has doubled in price and can have a very immediate impact on a family’s household budget.

“I think the council has an important role to play, not necessarily in trying to replace the support being provided by the Executive, but in making sure people know what help is available and, importantly, how to access it.

“I would therefore like to see this review not only look at what the council currently provides but also whether there are gaps in that support, whether we are communicating it effectively, and whether there are practical things the council can do to work with our community and voluntary organisations to reach those who need the help most.

“I think we should continue to look at what more can practically be done as we head into what could be a very difficult winter for some households. We support the motion.”

Councillor Meta Graham (UUP, Clogher Valley DEA) felt that the council should favour a pragmatic approach to ensure a better delivery of the support already on offer: “We would support a practical review whilst also asking for value for money. Council should identify what already exists, whether it works, where genuine gaps remain and what can be strengthened without creating duplication.

“The provision of information, advice, signposting and community partnerships is vital. The right approach should be targeted support for those genuinely under pressure. We support the motion.”

Councillor Barry Monteith (Independent, Dungannon DEA) argued that the current crisis was largely systemic, and he concurred with the general view that accessing support should be made easier: “The reality of it is there’s plenty of money. Ordinary people just don’t have any of it.

“There are systemic issues within how society is organised economically. Folks are almost on the breadline for the majority of their lives, with little or no prospect of ever moving away from that, despite the nonsense that is told within the capitalist system that if you just work hard, you might become a millionaire.

“I totally agree with Councillor McLernon. There are issues with some of the support that is out there. There are issues about access and information, and we need to do as a council [what we can].

“There are a lot of discrepancies out there as to what is available to folks in the Mid Ulster area. [There are also questions] around what safety nets exist within local communities, and the information is not easily accessible.

“There’s also a lot of gatekeeping. A lot of hoops have to be jumped through. I would welcome a whole review of the practical supports available to folks who are struggling to put food on the table, pay the rent, pay for housing or heat their homes.

“We need to regularise what support the council is involved in across the district, because people do not know what support is available to them.

“There is a lot of good intent out there, but the delivery leaves a lot to be desired.”

Council chair, Councillor Deirdre Varsani (Sinn Féin, Dungannon DEA) concurred with the view that decisive measures from Westminster were required: “Piecemeal attempts to fix this will fail simply because there is a catastrophic level of disconnect between the cost of doing simple things in life, like heating your home, eating your food and sending your children to school.

“I think the pressure needs to go on the Westminster Government to cut fuel duty, because that is the one measure that can help bring down many different aspects of the cost of living.

“I think we need to keep pushing and perhaps explore through committee work whether there are one or two major interventions that could have the greatest impact.

“The smaller measures do help, like the £100 payment, but there are too many gaps. A VAT reduction or a wider fuel duty cut would help the greatest number of people.”

With unanimous support having been expressed across the chamber for the motion, it was carried without the need for a vote.