Fears over universal credits

The comments came at a meeting in Ballycastle between councillors and Housing Executive officials.

Sinn Fein’s Colum Thompson said the moves have the potential to be “one of the biggest problems for our society”.

And DUP councillor David McAllister said universal credits will create problems for people, especially single men, and he feared an increase in homelessness.

Housing Executive official Frank O’Connor said they have been lobbying for the universal credits to be paid directly to landlords like themselves rather than to individuals.

Cllr McAllister says the fear is that some people may spend their money on things like drink instead of on their rent.

He added: “I really do believe we are going to end up with a lot of debt and homelessness.”