Child Poverty Crisis in Northern Ireland Revealed

More than one in five children are living in poverty in all but one council area across Northern Ireland, new research has revealed. The findings, obtained from a study conducted by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, shed light on the significant levels of child poverty in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Regional Extent of Child Poverty

The research indicates that 31% of all children in the UK are living in relative poverty, especially after factoring in housing costs. In Northern Ireland specifically, 24% of children are living in poverty. Shockingly, 16 out of the 18 NI constituencies and 10 of the 11 local council areas have over 20% of children in poverty.

Impact on Families

The data highlights the repercussions of child poverty, as families may turn to food banks, children might miss out on extracurricular activities, and households may struggle to provide warm clothing or adequate housing.

Call for Action

The End Child Poverty Coalition, comprised of over 135 organizations, is urging the government to fulfill its manifesto promise to address the high child poverty rates. The strategy recommends eliminating the two-child limit for benefit payments, a significant contributor to child poverty.

Urgent Measures

Becca Bor, Development Coordinator of the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network, stresses the urgency of targeted policies to combat child poverty to ensure a better future for the next generation.

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