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Welfare reform: Parties to attend 'stock taking' meeting with Theresa Villiers Welfare reform: Parties to attend 'stocktaking' meeting with Theresa Villiers
(about 2 hours later)
The main Stormont parties are to attend what is being billed as a stock taking meeting with the secretary of state over welfare reform. The main Stormont parties are to attend what is being billed as a stocktaking meeting with the secretary of state over welfare reform.
Last weekend, Martin McGuinness said he hoped there could be a mid-week deal on welfare reform.Last weekend, Martin McGuinness said he hoped there could be a mid-week deal on welfare reform.
Peter Robinson said it was possible the bill could be tabled for a fresh debate next week.Peter Robinson said it was possible the bill could be tabled for a fresh debate next week.
However, sources have said no fresh documents have been circulated to all the parties in advance of the meeting.However, sources have said no fresh documents have been circulated to all the parties in advance of the meeting.
The current political impasse at Stormont began last week after Sinn Féin withdrew its support for welfare reform legislation.The current political impasse at Stormont began last week after Sinn Féin withdrew its support for welfare reform legislation.
The Northern Ireland parties have held a number of meetings to resolve the impasse, but no agreement has been reached yet.The Northern Ireland parties have held a number of meetings to resolve the impasse, but no agreement has been reached yet.
The Chancellor warned Northern Ireland's political parties on Wednesday during his final budget speech before the general election that they must reach agreement on welfare changes if they were to get power over corporation tax.The Chancellor warned Northern Ireland's political parties on Wednesday during his final budget speech before the general election that they must reach agreement on welfare changes if they were to get power over corporation tax.
There has also been no move to convene a meeting of Stormont's business committee to schedule a fresh welfare debate prior to the Easter recess.There has also been no move to convene a meeting of Stormont's business committee to schedule a fresh welfare debate prior to the Easter recess.
Some Stormont sources have suggested that this points to a continuing gap between the party's position on welfare.Some Stormont sources have suggested that this points to a continuing gap between the party's position on welfare.
'Manipulate the citizens''Manipulate the citizens'
One estimate is that while the bill continues to be delayed, Northern Ireland is accruing welfare-related fines from the Treasury at a rate of £2m per week.One estimate is that while the bill continues to be delayed, Northern Ireland is accruing welfare-related fines from the Treasury at a rate of £2m per week.
On Thursday, the Green Party, which signed a petition of consent together with Sinn Féin and the SDLP in order to block the welfare reform bill, released a dossier strongly criticising Sinn Féin's handling of the issue.On Thursday, the Green Party, which signed a petition of consent together with Sinn Féin and the SDLP in order to block the welfare reform bill, released a dossier strongly criticising Sinn Féin's handling of the issue.
Green Party MLA Steven Agnew said Sinn Féin "should not be allowed to manipulate the citizens of Northern Ireland into believing that they did not know the ramifications of the welfare reform bill when they committed to signing any agreements".Green Party MLA Steven Agnew said Sinn Féin "should not be allowed to manipulate the citizens of Northern Ireland into believing that they did not know the ramifications of the welfare reform bill when they committed to signing any agreements".
He described Sinn Féin's assurance that the bedroom tax would not be introduced in Northern Ireland as "either wrong or disingenuous".He described Sinn Féin's assurance that the bedroom tax would not be introduced in Northern Ireland as "either wrong or disingenuous".
The Northern Ireland parties had agreed a deal on Westminster's welfare reform in the Stormont House Agreement in December.The Northern Ireland parties had agreed a deal on Westminster's welfare reform in the Stormont House Agreement in December.
The issue had previously threatened the future of the Northern Ireland power-sharing executive.The issue had previously threatened the future of the Northern Ireland power-sharing executive.
Last week, Sinn Féin withdrew its support and accused the DUP of going back on what had been agreed.Last week, Sinn Féin withdrew its support and accused the DUP of going back on what had been agreed.
The DUP rejected this, saying there had never been the money for all the things Sinn Féin wanted and that Sinn Féin had been aware of this.The DUP rejected this, saying there had never been the money for all the things Sinn Féin wanted and that Sinn Féin had been aware of this.