After the Assembly Election next month, Stormont must step up to the mark to help people caught up in the spiralling cost-of-living crisis.
We have families in Lagan Valley who need a financial lifeline to cope with sky-high increases in electricity, home heating oil and foodstuffs.
Inflation is at 7% and showing no signs of slowing down. Indeed, some economists are predicting it’ll climb even higher by the end of the year which will place intolerable pressure on families.
The new Executive and Assembly has to hit the ground running to bring some relief to households. It can look at financial packages for people to soften the blow and needs to sanction other measures on, for example, school meals. We are staring at a meltdown where many families won’t be able to cope. Urgent intervention is required once the votes are counted.
As an INDEPENDENT MLA, I will call it as it is and demand practical and urgent measures for hard-pressed families.
Being an Independent gives me the freedom to hold the other parties to account. I don’t have to slavishly follow a party line!