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05/06/2012
More To Be Done Against Child Poverty
An English MP who campaigns against poverty has visited Northern Ireland’s Minister for Social Development.
Nelson McCausland hosted the visit from Frank Field, the Labour MP for Birkenhead and author of a report about boosting social mobility.
Published in 2010, the 'Foundation Years, Preventing Poor Children Becoming Poor Adults' report called for health visitors to step in if children's development was slow, and use the earliest years of a child's life to boost its chances.
It was all in an attempt to bridge the class divide and make sure children from poor backgrounds had the chance to escape poverty.
The report found that some children were spoken to so rarely, they started school not even knowing their own names.
Mr Field visited Northern Ireland "with a view to exploring the lessons here", an Executive spokesperson said.
He and Mr McCausland, along with Nigel Dodds MP, a former minister for social development, and officials from the Department of Education and Department of Health, discussed how to stop poverty being handing down in families.
They talked about early years work and improving attainment in schools.
Mr McCausland said: "The reasons for social deprivation are highly complex, but addressing this need at a very young age is key to moving forward. I am committed to ensuring that my Department is leading the work to get to the heart of this challenging agenda and make a difference to the most vulnerable in our society."
Earlier this year, Mr Field accused the coalition government of ignoring his 2010 recommendations.
(NE)
Nelson McCausland hosted the visit from Frank Field, the Labour MP for Birkenhead and author of a report about boosting social mobility.
Published in 2010, the 'Foundation Years, Preventing Poor Children Becoming Poor Adults' report called for health visitors to step in if children's development was slow, and use the earliest years of a child's life to boost its chances.
It was all in an attempt to bridge the class divide and make sure children from poor backgrounds had the chance to escape poverty.
The report found that some children were spoken to so rarely, they started school not even knowing their own names.
Mr Field visited Northern Ireland "with a view to exploring the lessons here", an Executive spokesperson said.
He and Mr McCausland, along with Nigel Dodds MP, a former minister for social development, and officials from the Department of Education and Department of Health, discussed how to stop poverty being handing down in families.
They talked about early years work and improving attainment in schools.
Mr McCausland said: "The reasons for social deprivation are highly complex, but addressing this need at a very young age is key to moving forward. I am committed to ensuring that my Department is leading the work to get to the heart of this challenging agenda and make a difference to the most vulnerable in our society."
Earlier this year, Mr Field accused the coalition government of ignoring his 2010 recommendations.
(NE)
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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.
06 September 2011
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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.
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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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
