Menu
26/03/2010
Junior Minister 'Battles Poverty'
An initiative to fight against poverty and social exclusion has been launched in Belfast.
Junior Minister Robin Newton threw his weight behind the EY2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
It aims to raise greater awareness of the causes and consequences of poverty as well as promote social integration and inclusion.
Speaking at a Belfast City Hall launch event earlier this week, the Junior Minister and East Belfast DUP MLA (pictured) said: "We take very seriously the challenges that poverty and social exclusion present.
"Poverty continues to blight Europe and recent statistics show that 17% of EU citizens have such limited resources that they cannot afford the basics of life.
"The NI Executive is working to target poverty through main spending programmes in health, education, housing, employment and urban and rural development.
"But the downturn in the economic climate and resulting job losses and increased unemployment has undoubtedly impacted the work of such programmes," he said.
"At a local level, it is totally unacceptable that one in four of our children live in poverty and that 27% of older people are similarly in poverty.
"Making progress is vital. Tax Credits and benefits only go part of the way in addressing this problem and realistically we can't expect benefits, important as they are, to be the whole solution," he continued.
"We need instead to see how we can improve public services and better target those in greatest need.
"Getting people into employment is key way to combat poverty and social exclusion so the Executive must do all we can to remove barriers to employment faced by those most at risk groups.
"Barriers such as lack of training and lack of employment opportunities can be tackled with cross-departmental support," he said.
The Stormont Junior Minister noted that he holds responsibility for older people and children and young people, and insisted that tackling these issues is a top priority for the Executive.
"Commitments to tackle child poverty levels are being placed on a statutory footing so we will have a legal duty to meet specific targets to reduce child poverty and to report to the Assembly annually on the progress we are making," Mr Newton said.
Minister Newton concluded: "There are many groups in our society affected by poverty and social exclusion, from the young and old, to people with disabilities, carers and lone parent families.
"EY2010 is their opportunity to tell us what we, as Ministers, and as an Executive, need to concentrate on to tackle poverty more effectively. It is only by listening and working together that we can face the challenges ahead."
(BMcC/GK)
Junior Minister Robin Newton threw his weight behind the EY2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
It aims to raise greater awareness of the causes and consequences of poverty as well as promote social integration and inclusion.
Speaking at a Belfast City Hall launch event earlier this week, the Junior Minister and East Belfast DUP MLA (pictured) said: "We take very seriously the challenges that poverty and social exclusion present.
"Poverty continues to blight Europe and recent statistics show that 17% of EU citizens have such limited resources that they cannot afford the basics of life.
"The NI Executive is working to target poverty through main spending programmes in health, education, housing, employment and urban and rural development.
"But the downturn in the economic climate and resulting job losses and increased unemployment has undoubtedly impacted the work of such programmes," he said.
"At a local level, it is totally unacceptable that one in four of our children live in poverty and that 27% of older people are similarly in poverty.
"Making progress is vital. Tax Credits and benefits only go part of the way in addressing this problem and realistically we can't expect benefits, important as they are, to be the whole solution," he continued.
"We need instead to see how we can improve public services and better target those in greatest need.
"Getting people into employment is key way to combat poverty and social exclusion so the Executive must do all we can to remove barriers to employment faced by those most at risk groups.
"Barriers such as lack of training and lack of employment opportunities can be tackled with cross-departmental support," he said.
The Stormont Junior Minister noted that he holds responsibility for older people and children and young people, and insisted that tackling these issues is a top priority for the Executive.
"Commitments to tackle child poverty levels are being placed on a statutory footing so we will have a legal duty to meet specific targets to reduce child poverty and to report to the Assembly annually on the progress we are making," Mr Newton said.
Minister Newton concluded: "There are many groups in our society affected by poverty and social exclusion, from the young and old, to people with disabilities, carers and lone parent families.
"EY2010 is their opportunity to tell us what we, as Ministers, and as an Executive, need to concentrate on to tackle poverty more effectively. It is only by listening and working together that we can face the challenges ahead."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 February 2005
Half-a-million NI people below poverty line, claims report
A new report has claimed that over 500,000 people in Northern Ireland are living below the poverty line. According to the report ‘Bare Necessities - Poverty And Social Exclusion In Northern Ireland’ a higher proportion of families are living in poverty in Northern Ireland than in either Britain or the Republic of Ireland.
Half-a-million NI people below poverty line, claims report
A new report has claimed that over 500,000 people in Northern Ireland are living below the poverty line. According to the report ‘Bare Necessities - Poverty And Social Exclusion In Northern Ireland’ a higher proportion of families are living in poverty in Northern Ireland than in either Britain or the Republic of Ireland.
31 January 2005
Make Poverty History campaign launched in NI
The Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies (CADA) today launched its Make Poverty History campaign in Northern Ireland. The campaign is part of a worldwide initiative, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, highlighting 2005 as a year when governments must act on their previous commitments to combat world poverty.
Make Poverty History campaign launched in NI
The Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies (CADA) today launched its Make Poverty History campaign in Northern Ireland. The campaign is part of a worldwide initiative, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, highlighting 2005 as a year when governments must act on their previous commitments to combat world poverty.
14 April 2004
Government to tackle poverty and social exclusion
Secretary of State, Paul Murphy today announced that extensive consultation would commence on a strategy to tackle poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland.
Government to tackle poverty and social exclusion
Secretary of State, Paul Murphy today announced that extensive consultation would commence on a strategy to tackle poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland.
06 September 2011
Report Highlights NI Fuel Poverty
As winter approaches, measures to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland over the past decade have been highlighted. A new report said this week these have been effective - but that much more needs to be done. This was the result of new research carried out by the University of Ulster.
Report Highlights NI Fuel Poverty
As winter approaches, measures to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland over the past decade have been highlighted. A new report said this week these have been effective - but that much more needs to be done. This was the result of new research carried out by the University of Ulster.
06 December 2013
Fuel Poverty Remains 'Major Issue'
Fuel poverty remains a major issue for people in Northern Ireland, according to a new report by the Housing Executive. The report notes that 42% of Northern Ireland homes were recorded as experiencing fuel poverty in 2011. It noted an investment in 2012-2013 of over £20m on heating, insulation and double glazing in NIHE housing stock.
Fuel Poverty Remains 'Major Issue'
Fuel poverty remains a major issue for people in Northern Ireland, according to a new report by the Housing Executive. The report notes that 42% of Northern Ireland homes were recorded as experiencing fuel poverty in 2011. It noted an investment in 2012-2013 of over £20m on heating, insulation and double glazing in NIHE housing stock.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
