Today over 150 people committed to eradicating poverty in Northern Ireland at the Rising Together Against Poverty conference.
Organisers, including the Anti-Poverty Strategy Group, Barnardo’s NI, Trussell, the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network, Women’s Support Network and Save the Children, have issued a final plea to the Northern Ireland Executive to withdraw its Anti-Poverty Strategy, which was published in June and rejected by over 50 groups who branded it “harmful” to families and communities.
They are calling on the Executive to instead commit to addressing six key outcomes tackling poverty in Northern Ireland which were outlined by the Anti-Poverty Strategy Group in a 100-page document compiled by experts working alongside government in 2021. The group says its recommendations have been ignored resulting in a draft strategy without targets or resource.
Today’s event took place ahead of the deadline for the public to respond to the Executive’s draft strategy on 19 September.
It aimed to ensure that the voices of those most affected by poverty are placed at the heart of decision making.
Attendees took part in a range of workshops exploring key aspects of poverty, including Cash First initiatives, unpaid care and using the law to hold government to account, and the event also featured a powerful panel of campaigners with lived experience, who shared their insights and perspectives on what real change could look like.
Trása Canavan, Barnardo’s Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead for Northern Ireland and Chair of the Anti-Poverty Strategy Group, which represents over 20 organisations across Northern Ireland, said:
“Today’s event is about coming together as a sector to transform the disappointment we all feel about the government’s approach into determination, to make a positive change for society.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025 children in Northern Ireland are still growing up in poverty, which can affect their physical and mental health long into adulthood.”
Ms Canavan said that an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland presented a “vital opportunity” to address societal challenges, but civil society organisations believed the government’s draft “isn’t fit for purpose” as groups across the region outlined in a letter to Executive Ministers in late June.
She added: “It’s incredibly frustrating because experts have worked with the government making key, evidence-based recommendations for years, but they have been ignored and sidelined.
“The Anti-Poverty Strategy Group’s recommendations adopt a life-cycle approach, based on objective need, recognising that poverty impacts people at every stage of life. They are overarching, comprehensive, and designed so that all government departments work together to tackle the root causes of poverty.
“We remain committed to working constructively with the government on tackling poverty, but our political leaders need to listen those most impacted and make a commitment to real change for the children, families and communities in Northern Ireland.”
Tony O’Reilly, a member of the Northwest Forum of People with Disabilities (NWFPWD’s) Management Committee, said: "If disabled people don't have economic and social protection, we cannot enjoy any of the human rights to which we are entitled. The draft Anti-Poverty Strategy does not deliver economic and social protection for anyone and does nothing to address poverty in any real way. It would be better that this form of a Strategy didn't exist, it's just words on a page that won't achieve anything. To be honest, it's offensive."
Keynote speaker, Fiona King, policy lead for Save the Children in Scotland shared valuable lessons from Scotland’s experience in reducing child poverty.
She said: "Making political choices to invest in children and families works and it benefits us all. The most recent child poverty figures for Scotland were evidence of this. Social security-based policies like the Scottish Child Payment meant that child poverty fell by four percentage points in Scotland over the past year but rose or stayed stagnant in every other part of the UK.
“We're going in the right direction in Scotland, but we need to travel much more quickly. Far too many children are still being held back by poverty from fulfilling their potential. We've seen what's possible when we choose to invest in childhoods.
“Politicians from all parties must work together for a better future for children and take the bold action we know the public wants to see on child poverty.”
The NI Anti-Poverty Strategy Group’s document recommends that the Executive commits to six high level outcomes:
- The creation of an Anti-Poverty Act which will ensure that the rights of people experiencing or at risk of poverty are promoted, protected, and realised.
- Working towards eradication by 2045, child poverty will be reduced by half over the lifetime of this Strategy.
- No working age person shall live in poverty, regardless of whether they are in work, seeking work or unable to work. All those of working age will have sufficient income to participate fully in society and can access services and pathways to sustained and meaningful employment.
- Working towards eradication by 2045, poverty among older people will be reduced by half over the lifetime of this Strategy. Older people experiencing or at risk of poverty will have adequate income and support in relation to their economic, physical, and mental wellbeing to ensure their equal participation in society.
- We have attractive, safe, accessible, welcoming, and sustainable environments in the most deprived areas.
- All people experiencing or at risk of poverty have equal access to high quality public services that meet their needs in a timely manner and are based on dignity, fairness, and respect.
The conference has been sponsored by Joseph Rountree Foundation, Barnardo’s NI, Trussell and the Anti-Poverty Strategy Group.