Senior DUP figures Arlene Foster and Gavin Robinson have called for funds to be moved from welfare budgets to defence spending. Alliance Poverty Spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA described the proposal as out of touch with families facing hardship during the energy crisis.

Mulholland noted that Northern Ireland has the highest rate of fuel poverty in the UK. She stated that welfare recipients have low resilience to recent price spikes in home heating oil. Alliance supports sustainable defence spending but opposes taking money from low-income households, especially now when families must choose between heating and eating.

Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan for Mid Ulster said the DUP position shows detachment from the realities of workers and families. He criticised Robinson's support for cutting welfare to fund what he called reckless wars abroad.

Mallaghan highlighted that ordinary people are struggling to heat homes or feed families. He called on the DUP deputy First Minister to distance herself from the comments.

Mulholland also linked limited public funds for energy support, welfare and defence to the economic effects of Brexit, which she attributed in part to DUP advocacy.