- Around 17,000 children in Northern Ireland are expected to
benefit from the government's removal of the two-child limit
- New strategy aims to lift 550,000 children across the UK out
of poverty by 2030
- Ministers visit Trussell in North Belfast to discuss support
for families struggling with cost of living
Around 17,000 children in Northern Ireland are set to benefit
from government measures to tackle child poverty, following the
removal of the two-child limit. The announcement is the flagship
policy of the government's Child Poverty Strategy, which aims to
lift 550,000 children across the UK out of poverty by 2030.
Other measures in the strategy, which was published last week,
aim to tackle poverty by increasing the National Living Wage,
delivering the first ever sustained above inflation increase to
Universal Credit standard allowance, and reforms to the Child
Maintenance Service. This will help thousands of families across
Northern Ireland to boost their incomes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland, Minister MP, and Department for
Communities Minister MLA visited a Trussell food
bank in North Belfast to discuss how both UK-wide, and local
actions, are supporting families here in Northern Ireland.
Minister said:
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 said:
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.
The Anti-Poverty Strategy will aim to address poverty and the
impacts of socio-economic disadvantage and set out the
Executive's commitment to a joined up, long term approach to
addressing poverty.
Reverend Philip McCrea, Chairperson of the Trussell North
Belfast Food Bank said:
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 supports the government's Plan for Change mission to
break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has the
best start in life regardless of their background.
