Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland warned that reducing welfare budgets to fund defence spending would increase hardship for families in North Antrim. The North Antrim representative serves as the party's poverty spokesperson.

Her statement responds to comments from DUP leaders Arlene Foster and Gavin Robinson on redirecting welfare funds to defence. Mulholland stated that Alliance backs sustainable defence funding but opposes taking resources from low-income households.

She highlighted the ongoing energy crisis forcing families to choose between heating and food, especially in rural North Antrim where homes rely on heating oil. Northern Ireland records the highest fuel poverty rate in the UK.

Mulholland noted that welfare-dependent families in North Antrim struggle most with sudden price increases in heating oil. She attributed limited public funds partly to economic effects from the UK's exit from the European Union.