Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today expressed his deep concern at plans by the Westminster government to leave many in Northern Ireland out in the cold.

Reports today suggest that the coalition government is making plans to cut Winter Fuel Payments and increase the qualifying age, and deny many families their child benefit.

Alex Attwood said: “I am deeply concerned about these proposals. They will create real hardship for thousands of elderly people and hard working families. This against a backdrop of a hefty hike in food prices in recent weeks and a universal increase in prices when the higher rates of VAT are introduced.

“Things could become a lot worse for people in Northern Ireland. That simply isn’t fair, especially given the unique position Northern Ireland finds itself in emerging from forty years of conflict.

“People in need here should not be victims of London policies. We need a strong voice to campaign against these proposals. I will be meeting Work and Pensions Minister Iain Duncan Smith next month to raise concerns and seek a better result for Northern Ireland.”