15/12/2025
17,000 NI Children Set To Benefit Under New Govt Strategy
Approximately 17,000 children in Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from new government measures targeting child poverty, following the announcement that the two-child limit on benefits is being removed.
This move is the flagship policy of the government's new Child Poverty Strategy, which outlines an ambitious goal to lift 550,000 children across the UK out of poverty by the year 2030.
Other key measures within the strategy, which was published last week, include plans to increase the National Living Wage, deliver the first sustained above-inflation increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance, and reform the Child Maintenance Service. These efforts are projected to boost the incomes of thousands of families across Northern Ireland.
To discuss how both UK-wide and local actions are supporting families, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Minister Matthew Patrick MP, and Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA visited a Trussell Trust food bank in North Belfast.
Minister Patrick commented on the government's commitment to collaborative action: "Every child deserves to be given the best start in life, and this Government is working with the Executive to lift a generation of children out of poverty in Northern Ireland. I want to commend Trussell for being a place that offers welcome, hope, and dignity to people, while also providing practical advice and helping to alleviate hardship."
Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons reaffirmed his commitment to the issue locally: "I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Trussell today with Minister Patrick to discuss the issue of child poverty, the work of Trussell in combatting poverty, and the operation of the North Belfast Foodbank. One of my key priorities is addressing poverty in all its forms and I remain committed to delivering long-term, sustainable solutions to poverty for communities right across Northern Ireland, including children and young people, through the implementation of a robust Anti-Poverty Strategy."
Minister Lyons noted that the forthcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy will aim to address poverty and the effects of socio-economic disadvantage, setting out the Executive's commitment to a joined-up, long-term approach.
Reverend Philip McCrea, Chairperson of the Trussell North Belfast Food Bank, welcomed the policy change which they had long lobbied for: "We are delighted to welcome Minister Patrick and Minister Lyons to our food bank in North Belfast to see first hand the work that goes on to help support people in poverty. We spoke about the Government's decision to lift the two child limit, which was something we lobbied the UK Government to do for years, and is therefore a move very much welcomed by us."
The strategy is aligned with the government's wider Plan for Change mission to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring that every child is given the best start in life regardless of their background.
This move is the flagship policy of the government's new Child Poverty Strategy, which outlines an ambitious goal to lift 550,000 children across the UK out of poverty by the year 2030.
Other key measures within the strategy, which was published last week, include plans to increase the National Living Wage, deliver the first sustained above-inflation increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance, and reform the Child Maintenance Service. These efforts are projected to boost the incomes of thousands of families across Northern Ireland.
To discuss how both UK-wide and local actions are supporting families, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Minister Matthew Patrick MP, and Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA visited a Trussell Trust food bank in North Belfast.
Minister Patrick commented on the government's commitment to collaborative action: "Every child deserves to be given the best start in life, and this Government is working with the Executive to lift a generation of children out of poverty in Northern Ireland. I want to commend Trussell for being a place that offers welcome, hope, and dignity to people, while also providing practical advice and helping to alleviate hardship."
Minister Lyons noted that the forthcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy will aim to address poverty and the effects of socio-economic disadvantage, setting out the Executive's commitment to a joined-up, long-term approach.
Reverend Philip McCrea, Chairperson of the Trussell North Belfast Food Bank, welcomed the policy change which they had long lobbied for: "We are delighted to welcome Minister Patrick and Minister Lyons to our food bank in North Belfast to see first hand the work that goes on to help support people in poverty. We spoke about the Government's decision to lift the two child limit, which was something we lobbied the UK Government to do for years, and is therefore a move very much welcomed by us."
The strategy is aligned with the government's wider Plan for Change mission to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring that every child is given the best start in life regardless of their background.
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One In Five Children In NI Are Experiencing Poverty - Report
More than one in five children in NI are experiencing poverty, according to a report by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition. The report was based on the number of children who live in a household with a below 60% median income after housing costs are removed. The statistics also revealed that 22.
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More than one in five children in NI are experiencing poverty, according to a report by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition. The report was based on the number of children who live in a household with a below 60% median income after housing costs are removed. The statistics also revealed that 22.
10 January 2012
More Work Needed To Tackle Child Poverty
According to recent research more needs to be done to get children in Northern Ireland out of Poverty, with the British Government being blamed for the elimination target slipping. The charity Barnardos has revealed that two areas in Northern Ireland have two of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.
More Work Needed To Tackle Child Poverty
According to recent research more needs to be done to get children in Northern Ireland out of Poverty, with the British Government being blamed for the elimination target slipping. The charity Barnardos has revealed that two areas in Northern Ireland have two of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.
31 January 2005
Make Poverty History campaign launched in NI
The Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies (CADA) today launched its Make Poverty History campaign in Northern Ireland. The campaign is part of a worldwide initiative, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, highlighting 2005 as a year when governments must act on their previous commitments to combat world poverty.
Make Poverty History campaign launched in NI
The Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies (CADA) today launched its Make Poverty History campaign in Northern Ireland. The campaign is part of a worldwide initiative, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, highlighting 2005 as a year when governments must act on their previous commitments to combat world poverty.
20 February 2013
West Belfast Shows Second Highest Child Poverty In UK
West Belfast has the second highest level of child poverty in the UK, according to a new report by a children's poverty campaign. The End Child Poverty campaign found that, out of the 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, only Manchester Central exhibited a higher level of deprivation.
West Belfast Shows Second Highest Child Poverty In UK
West Belfast has the second highest level of child poverty in the UK, according to a new report by a children's poverty campaign. The End Child Poverty campaign found that, out of the 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, only Manchester Central exhibited a higher level of deprivation.
04 February 2005
Half-a-million NI people below poverty line, claims report
A new report has claimed that over 500,000 people in Northern Ireland are living below the poverty line. According to the report ‘Bare Necessities - Poverty And Social Exclusion In Northern Ireland’ a higher proportion of families are living in poverty in Northern Ireland than in either Britain or the Republic of Ireland.
Half-a-million NI people below poverty line, claims report
A new report has claimed that over 500,000 people in Northern Ireland are living below the poverty line. According to the report ‘Bare Necessities - Poverty And Social Exclusion In Northern Ireland’ a higher proportion of families are living in poverty in Northern Ireland than in either Britain or the Republic of Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.