Trade Unionists and local politicians were amongst those who gathered at the Guildhall today to protest at the imposition of Universal Credit.
The controversial new benefit will replace Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, ESA, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Experts at Sheffield Hallam University believe Derry will lose £64m per annum as cumulative result of the welfare cuts that have occurred since 2010.
Speaking after the protest, Niall McCarroll of Unison and the Derry Trades Union Council said Universal Credit will affect the living standards of the working class.
“The financial sector, big business and their right wing political facilitators caused the current crisis and are directly responsible for the roll out of Universal Credit in Derry," he said.
“Tory austerity should never has been allowed to come ashore here, people are being failed by a system of governance which appears to protect the elite 1% of society whilst ruling by fooling everyone else.
“This corrupt and discriminatory group are also now responsible for finding a solution to the problem they created.
“The working class are being driven into submission to accept cuts with their living standards falling.”
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