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More Children Living in Persistent Poverty in Northern Ireland than Great Britain

Child poverty | Povertà infantileThe number of families in Northern Ireland living in persistent poverty is more than double that in Great Britain, according to new research by leading child poverty experts, University of Ulster academic Goretti Horgan and Marina Monteith from Save the Children (NI).

Their report, ‘What can we do to tackle child poverty in Northern Ireland’ found that persistent poverty in Northern Ireland (21% before housing costs) is more than double that in Great Britain (9%). The report which is published today explores some of the challenges facing the Northern Ireland Assembly as it tries to meet its target of halving childhood poverty by 2010 and eradicating it completely by 2020.

According to Goretti Horgan, the legacy of the Troubles is very apparent with the highest levels of persistent poverty in areas like West Belfast, Bogside, Brandywell and Creggan – all of which were very affected by the conflict.

Almost three quarters of children in persistent poverty live in a small number of wards with a high concentration of child poverty in these areas. The authors are concerned that young people growing up today in the most disadvantaged areas are living in areas where the conflict was at its height and the ripple effect is still being felt.

Ms Horgan continues: “Qualitative research shows that there is a layer of young people growing up in persistent poverty in these areas who are socially excluded – even where social deprivation is at the highest level.

“These young people are most vulnerable and at risk of falling prey to paramilitary organisations, drug pushers and petty criminals. There is an urgent need to help them by reducing income poverty and material deprivation in these areas.”

The report points to four main reasons for higher persistent poverty in Northern Ireland:

  • High levels of worklessness: 31 per cent of the working-age population is not in paid work, higher than any GB region and 6 per cent higher than the GB average.
  • High rates of disability and limiting long-term illness, especially mental ill-health.
  • Low wages: the median wage for men working full-time is 85 per cent of that for British men.
  • Poor-quality part-time jobs and obstacles to mothers working.

Child poverty | Povertà infantileThe authors accept that while some of the problems are beyond the Assembly’s control; the devolved administration at Stormont could intervene to alleviate some of the worst aspects of poverty.

They recommend that the Assembly focus on six key areas to increase the supply of well-paid, good quality jobs; support those already in work to increase their qualification levels; alleviate the worst impacts of poverty on children; address the lack of quality affordable childcare; increase educational attainment; and provide access to leisure and social activities for poorer young people.

Ms Horgan, a Social Policy lecturer at Jordanstown, added: “For example they could make it easier for lone mothers on benefits to take on ‘mini-jobs’ to provide a little extra for their families without affecting their benefits as they can only earn up to £20 a week at present.

“The school day should be genuinely free. For this to happen though, school budgets need to provide for all the costs of education including books, school trips and after-school activities.

“Instead of being reduced, the youth service in these areas should be adequately funded to give poorer young people access to positive social and leisure activities,” she adds.

Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), which funded the research said the Assembly has already shown that it is possible to intervene to alleviate some of the worst aspects of poverty and pointed to the precedent set last winter when it provided the one-off fuel payment of £150 to families on benefit.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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