POLITICAL parties should join forces to look at the effect of controversial Government welfare reforms on the city’s residents and their impact on efforts to fight poverty, a leading councillor has said.

Coun Keith Aspden, who leads City of York Council’s Liberal Democrat group, has called for the authority to set up a cross-party group, also including officials, to analyse how new benefit rules, the “bedroom tax” and other changes introduced earlier this year have hit those struggling financially.

It comes as the council approved a strategy, drawn up by organisations from across York, which is ultimately aimed at making York a poverty-free and affordable city and is backed by The Press’ Stamp Out Poverty campaign.

The Lib Dems said they were concerned the arguments over welfare reform were turning it into a “political football” rather than focusing on its true impact.

Coun Aspden said a similar approach to the poverty vision was needed on welfare, saying: “At national level, there is agreement that the UK’s growing benefits bill needs to be brought under control and we need a system which the public has confidence in.

“However, if there is evidence the changes are causing serious problems for vulnerable people or undermining the local cross-party anti-poverty drive, we need to study the facts and, where necessary, make a cross-party case to Government to take another look. We also need to be searching for viable local solutions, rather than throwing around claims and counter-claims.

“Everybody is entitled to their view on welfare changes, but councillors also need to work together whenever possible.”

Council leader James Alexander said the ruling Labour group would “work constructively” with anybody who shared the goal of tackling poverty. He said the city’s Poverty Action Group was taking the effect of welfare reforms into account, but Government policies such as the “bedroom tax” and benefit cuts “will make our vision to eradicate poverty all the more challenging”.

“What is required is political leadership from the council, working in partnership with others such as community groups, charities, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and The Press, to get to grips with the issue of poverty, and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said, adding that he would welcomed any Lib Dem efforts to lobby Government on the issue.