Children need immediate action

Child Poverty is once again being discussed at Stormont. The evidence is there. The recommendations are there. The cost of inaction is devastating for children – and expensive for Stormont. We need action. Implementation. Political will.

On Monday 27 January, MLAs will be debating a motion on child hunger and food bank usage. In order to keep the spotlight on the root causes of child poverty and the evidence-based solutions, NIAPN will join Trussell Trust and the Child Poverty Alliance to call for immediate action on child poverty.

Join us on the steps of Stormont at 10.30am for a rally to End Child Poverty.

“The extras are all gone now, going out is a luxury, we were hardly able to do it in the first place. Even the special occasion treats are gone now like for birthdays, etc. There’s no spare income for it now.” 

 
The Picture of Child Poverty  

Child poverty manifests as cold houses and hungry stomachs, children missing school because of lack of transport or costly school uniforms, not being able to participate in extra-curricular activities, not receiving presents for holidays and birthdays.  Finally its growing up around the palpable anxiety and stress caused by not having enough money to afford the essentials. 

A recent NIAO report estimates the annual cost of dealing with child poverty is between £850 million and £1 billion. Therefore the cost of inaction is too high! 

The Department for Communities reported that the percentage of children living in relative poverty in 2022/23 was 24% compared to 18% in 2021/2022. This represents a ‘statistically significant’ increase. 1 in 4 children in NI is in relative poverty, and almost 1 in 5 children is now struggling to have their most basic needs met, such as food, shelter, and housing, and in the last five years Trussell’s emergency food parcels for children have increased by 90%. 

In order to meaningfully tackle the root causes of poverty, the Anti-Poverty Strategy should embed a life-cycle approach by investing heavily in children and their caregivers to help create conditions for better lifelong opportunities and outcomes.
 

Our recommendations: 

1. Implement an evidence-based Anti-Poverty Strategy based on objective need that specifically targets Child Poverty. 
2. Increase household income:
   1. Call on the NI Executive to endorse the Essentials Guarantee campaign ensuring Westminster guarantees, at a minimum, Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials.
   1. Scrap the 2-child limit to the child element of Universal Credit. 
   1. Introduce a new weekly Child Payment to all children in poverty.
3. Invest in the free school day by reducing school uniform costs, increasing FSME’s and re-introducing holiday hunger payments.
4. Invest in accessible, good quality childcare by increasing accessible, flexible and affordable high quality childcare and removing barriers to paid employment.

NIAPN and the Child Poverty Alliance have prepared the following brief about Child Poverty.