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02/05/2012
Hardship Likely To Increase For NI Households
People in Northern Ireland are caught between the impact of the recession and a programme of austerity and welfare reform, according to new research published today.
The report, Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland, found poverty in working households and poverty among pensioners has increased.
Published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the research looks at what has happened since the recession started in 2009, and the ways it has hit Northern Ireland particularly hard.
The authors found an increase in the number of people in poverty living in working households – now half of the 120,000 children living in poverty live with a working parent.
There has been a rise in the number of retired households living in poverty, up from 55,000 to 70,000. Over a fifth of pensioners (21%) in Northern Ireland live in poverty, with a growing gap emerging between their counterparts in Great Britain, where 16% are in poverty.
The attainment gap between children on free school meals and those who are not is sizeable and not closing. More than two thirds (69%) of pupils on free school meals are failing to obtain five GCSEs at A* - C. On leaving school, poor pupils are twice as likely as other pupils to be unemployed or out of touch with education services.
The research also highlights the challenges facing Northern Ireland.
With a higher proportion of people claiming disability benefits in Northern Ireland, reform to the welfare system – and additional welfare cuts outlined in the Budget – is likely to have a significant impact on claimants. The increased requirements on people to look for work will be more keenly felt due to the larger number of people with disabilities.
The gap in employment rates between men and women has narrowed steadily, while the disparity in hourly pay rates has also been reduced. But with the deepest of public sector spending reductions yet to begin, progress on women’s employment and pay is threatened. The public sector constitutes a third of Northern Ireland’s jobs market, with much of the workforce made up of women.
The report calls on governments and policy-makers in Stormont and Westminster to address factors that have left more young and elderly people in poverty. In particular, the report highlights the rise of in-work poverty and the impact of welfare reform on disability claimants. Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: "Our report shows that 22% of people in Northern Ireland were living in poverty in the three years to 2009-10. It's a tragedy that the most vulnerable in society – young and retired people - are suffering the very worst effects of the recession.
"Some 60,000 children live in poverty in working households, and those leaving school see their options diminished. If work and training opportunities are squeezed further, they suffer more than most. It's vital school leavers are given the opportunities and tools to find good jobs."
Tom MacInnes, author of the report, added: "While things have not got dramatically worse, the situation in Northern Ireland is not much better and some worrying trends have emerged since our report in 2009.
"The requirement for more people with disabilities to find work as part of welfare reforms could have a disproportionate impact in Northern Ireland. This is at a time when the proportion of working age adults not in paid work is rising. So even if the jobs are available, there has to be suitable support provided as well."
(GK)
The report, Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland, found poverty in working households and poverty among pensioners has increased.
Published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the research looks at what has happened since the recession started in 2009, and the ways it has hit Northern Ireland particularly hard.
The authors found an increase in the number of people in poverty living in working households – now half of the 120,000 children living in poverty live with a working parent.
There has been a rise in the number of retired households living in poverty, up from 55,000 to 70,000. Over a fifth of pensioners (21%) in Northern Ireland live in poverty, with a growing gap emerging between their counterparts in Great Britain, where 16% are in poverty.
The attainment gap between children on free school meals and those who are not is sizeable and not closing. More than two thirds (69%) of pupils on free school meals are failing to obtain five GCSEs at A* - C. On leaving school, poor pupils are twice as likely as other pupils to be unemployed or out of touch with education services.
The research also highlights the challenges facing Northern Ireland.
With a higher proportion of people claiming disability benefits in Northern Ireland, reform to the welfare system – and additional welfare cuts outlined in the Budget – is likely to have a significant impact on claimants. The increased requirements on people to look for work will be more keenly felt due to the larger number of people with disabilities.
The gap in employment rates between men and women has narrowed steadily, while the disparity in hourly pay rates has also been reduced. But with the deepest of public sector spending reductions yet to begin, progress on women’s employment and pay is threatened. The public sector constitutes a third of Northern Ireland’s jobs market, with much of the workforce made up of women.
The report calls on governments and policy-makers in Stormont and Westminster to address factors that have left more young and elderly people in poverty. In particular, the report highlights the rise of in-work poverty and the impact of welfare reform on disability claimants. Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: "Our report shows that 22% of people in Northern Ireland were living in poverty in the three years to 2009-10. It's a tragedy that the most vulnerable in society – young and retired people - are suffering the very worst effects of the recession.
"Some 60,000 children live in poverty in working households, and those leaving school see their options diminished. If work and training opportunities are squeezed further, they suffer more than most. It's vital school leavers are given the opportunities and tools to find good jobs."
Tom MacInnes, author of the report, added: "While things have not got dramatically worse, the situation in Northern Ireland is not much better and some worrying trends have emerged since our report in 2009.
"The requirement for more people with disabilities to find work as part of welfare reforms could have a disproportionate impact in Northern Ireland. This is at a time when the proportion of working age adults not in paid work is rising. So even if the jobs are available, there has to be suitable support provided as well."
(GK)
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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.
01 July 2014
20% Children Living In Poverty
About 20% of children in Northern Ireland were classified as living in poverty in 2012-2013, according to the Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin published today by the Department for Social Development.
20% Children Living In Poverty
About 20% of children in Northern Ireland were classified as living in poverty in 2012-2013, according to the Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin published today by the Department for Social Development.
07 September 2011
Thousands Of Families Face Fuel Poverty
A shocking 75,000 NI households are living in severe fuel poverty by recognised national standards. Yesterday, the Stormont Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland (pictured) welcomed the publication of a report by the University of Ulster entitled 'Defining Fuel Poverty in Northern Ireland: A Preliminary Review'.
Thousands Of Families Face Fuel Poverty
A shocking 75,000 NI households are living in severe fuel poverty by recognised national standards. Yesterday, the Stormont Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland (pictured) welcomed the publication of a report by the University of Ulster entitled 'Defining Fuel Poverty in Northern Ireland: A Preliminary Review'.
17 December 2013
Child Poverty On The Increase
Child poverty in Northern Ireland continues to increase, according to a report entitled 'Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland, 2011/12' released today. The amount of children living in poverty increased between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the report found.
Child Poverty On The Increase
Child poverty in Northern Ireland continues to increase, according to a report entitled 'Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland, 2011/12' released today. The amount of children living in poverty increased between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the report found.
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.
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