McCarthy: Absence of Anti-poverty Strategy in Programme for Government "an outrage"
Fiona McCarthy has described the absence of any mention of the promised Anti-poverty Strategy in the Programme for Government as an outrage, that shows contempt and a deliberate and wilful lack of concern for the hundreds and thousands of those working-class people who live in poverty and in multiple deprivation.
Fiona pointed out that median household income in Northern Ireland fell by 5% compared to 1% across other areas of the UK. This disparity is one of the main drivers behind the increased poverty levels experienced in Northern Ireland. Reports indicate that 349,000 people were estimated to be living in relative poverty a 2% increase on the previous report and 271,000 people were estimated to be living in absolute poverty an increase of 1% on the previous figures.
Fiona continued the percentage of children living in relative poverty is 24% an increase of 6% on the previous 18%, and children living in absolute poverty rose from 15% to 19% in the same period, these statistics cover the 2021 - 2022 and 2022 - 2023 periods. Fiona stated It is little wonder that our political leaders are choosing to ignore these inconvenient truths.
North Belfast has one of the highest rates of poverty and multiple deprivations, and health inequalities are amongst the highest in Northern Ireland. Life expectancy for men and women are lower than the average across Northern Ireland. We have alarmingly high levels of mental ill health, the third highest levels of death from respiratory disease, and many other forms of ill health.
All these problems stem from the systemic poverty and deprivation working-class people are forced to endure. The Executive is obliged by the Northern Ireland act 1998 to put in place an Anti-poverty Strategy to tackle poverty, social exclusion and deprivation. Yet, they do nothing but give promises and commission yet another report, it is an exercise in paralysis by analysis. People already know the major extent of their problems. Enough time has been wasted on sectarianism, flag waving, vested and sectional interests.
It is now time for Executive to deliver on their obligations to those who have suffered and continue to suffer the consequences of their failure to act. Glossy brochures and smiling photo opportunities, are cold comfort to those who having to make daily trips to food banks or decisions on going without food so that their children or others in the household can eat. Fiona concluded by saying, “the Northern Ireland Executive should hang their heads in shame over this deplorable situation”.