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28/10/2014
Over 2.5m Children Plunge Below The Poverty Line
Over 2.5 million children have plunged below the poverty line in the world's most affluent countries since 2008, according to a Unicef report.
The total number of children in the developed world living in poverty is now estimated at 76.5 million.
Innocenti Report Card 12, Children of the Recession: The impact of the economic crisis on child well-being in rich countries, ranks 41 countries in the OECD and the European Union according to whether levels of child poverty have increased or decreased since 2008. It also tracks the proportion of 15-24 year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The report includes Gallup World Poll data on people’s perceptions of their economic status and hopes for the future since the recession began.
While early stimulus programmes in some countries were effective in protecting children, by 2010 a majority of countries pivoted sharply from budget stimulus to budget cuts, with negative impact on children, particularly in the Mediterranean region.
Jeffrey OMalley, Unicef's Head of Global Policy and Strategy, said: "Many affluent countries have suffered a 'great leap backwards' in terms of household income, and the impact on children will have long-lasting repercussions for them and their communities.
"Unicef research shows that the strength of social protection policies was a decisive factor in poverty prevention. All countries need strong social safety nets to protect children in bad times and in good – and wealthy countries should lead by example, explicitly committing to eradicate child poverty, developing policies to offset economic downturns, and making child well-being a top priority."
Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West Constituency Matt Carthy said: "The UNICEF report measures whether levels of child poverty have increased or decreased since 2008 and shows that in Ireland, Child Poverty has increased by 10% and currently ranks 37th out of 41 OECD countries, ahead of Croatia, Latvia, Greece and Iceland.
"This comes after figures released by Eurostat showed that the child poverty rate in Ireland rose from 18% to 28.6% between 2008 and 2012, meaning that there are an additional 130,000 children living in poverty in Ireland as a result of the austerity policies implemented by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments.
"In my view, these figures prove that children, particularly those of lower income families, have been paying a disproportionate price for the austerity agenda that has been relentlessly pursued by successive governments.
"Sinn Féin has continually argued that greater supports must be provided to those on low incomes and our alternative Budget proposals outlined specific measures that the Government could introduce which would go some way to addressing this issue."
(CD/IT)
The total number of children in the developed world living in poverty is now estimated at 76.5 million.
Innocenti Report Card 12, Children of the Recession: The impact of the economic crisis on child well-being in rich countries, ranks 41 countries in the OECD and the European Union according to whether levels of child poverty have increased or decreased since 2008. It also tracks the proportion of 15-24 year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The report includes Gallup World Poll data on people’s perceptions of their economic status and hopes for the future since the recession began.
While early stimulus programmes in some countries were effective in protecting children, by 2010 a majority of countries pivoted sharply from budget stimulus to budget cuts, with negative impact on children, particularly in the Mediterranean region.
Jeffrey OMalley, Unicef's Head of Global Policy and Strategy, said: "Many affluent countries have suffered a 'great leap backwards' in terms of household income, and the impact on children will have long-lasting repercussions for them and their communities.
"Unicef research shows that the strength of social protection policies was a decisive factor in poverty prevention. All countries need strong social safety nets to protect children in bad times and in good – and wealthy countries should lead by example, explicitly committing to eradicate child poverty, developing policies to offset economic downturns, and making child well-being a top priority."
Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West Constituency Matt Carthy said: "The UNICEF report measures whether levels of child poverty have increased or decreased since 2008 and shows that in Ireland, Child Poverty has increased by 10% and currently ranks 37th out of 41 OECD countries, ahead of Croatia, Latvia, Greece and Iceland.
"This comes after figures released by Eurostat showed that the child poverty rate in Ireland rose from 18% to 28.6% between 2008 and 2012, meaning that there are an additional 130,000 children living in poverty in Ireland as a result of the austerity policies implemented by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments.
"In my view, these figures prove that children, particularly those of lower income families, have been paying a disproportionate price for the austerity agenda that has been relentlessly pursued by successive governments.
"Sinn Féin has continually argued that greater supports must be provided to those on low incomes and our alternative Budget proposals outlined specific measures that the Government could introduce which would go some way to addressing this issue."
(CD/IT)
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Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
Gov Tax Plans Will Increase Poverty – IFS
A report by a major economic research institute has found the Governments policies on tax and benefits will lead to a major increase in poverty over the next few years. The forecast from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the UK's poverty levels up to 2021 predicts poverty will rise by about 600,000 children and 800,000 working-age adults.
14 June 2012
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
