Child Poverty On The Increase

Child poverty in Northern Ireland continues to increase, according to a report entitled 'Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland, 2011/12' released today.

The amount of children living in poverty increased between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the report found.

The percentage of children in relative poverty before housing costs increased by one percentage point to 22%. The proportion of children in absolute poverty before housing costs, baselined at 2010-11, increased by four percentage points to 25%.

Children living in lone-parent families were more likely to live in low income households. Before housing costs, 28% of children living in lone parent families were considered to be in relative poverty, which was 8% higher than children living in families with two adults.

After housing costs, 44% of children living in lone parent families were considered to be in relative poverty, which was twice that of children living in families with two adults.

Regionally, children living in the east of the province were least likely to be in relative poverty.

Northern Ireland's average household income in 2011-12 was £372 per week before housing costs and £336 per week after housing costs.

For two consecutive years, 2010-11 and 2011-12, Northern Ireland has experienced a decrease in average income levels, consistent with UK trends over the same period.

In 2011-12, 21% of the Northern Ireland population were in relative poverty before housing costs and 24% of the population were in absolute poverty before housing costs.

In Northern Ireland 25% of pensioners were in relative poverty before housing costs and 15% were in relative poverty After Housing Costs in 2011-12. This equates to 72 thousand people in relative poverty before housing costs and 45 thousand people in relative poverty after housing costs.

The report also said pensioners receiving Housing Benefit are at very low risk of relative poverty.

(IT/CD)