Cliff Edge briefing to Public Accounts Committee Inquiry into Child Poverty

The Cliff Edge Coalition has this week submitted a briefing to the Public Accounts Committee Inquiry into Child Poverty in Northern Ireland.  

We drew particular attention to our key ask on removing the two-child limit, which restricts Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit to the first two children in most households and which is one of the main drivers of rising child poverty in Northern Ireland.  

We also highlighted the most recent child poverty statistics, which show that:  

• 16% of children in West Belfast live in households impacted by the two-child limit (Dec 2023) and 32% of children in West Belfast live in poverty (June 2024) 

• 14% of children in North Belfast live in households impacted by the two-child limit, and 29% of children live in poverty. 

• 11% of children in Newry and Armagh live in households impacted by the two-child limit and 27% of children in poverty. 

• 11% of children in Foyle live in households impacted by the two-child limit, and 25% live in poverty. 

Cliff Edge Coalition representatives would be pleased to give oral evidence to the inquiry. 

You can read our full briefing here which highlights our three key asks and how they would help to alleviate poverty in Northern Ireland.  

• Resolve the five-week wait in Universal Credit  
• Remove the two-child limit  
• Provide support for private renters affected by Local Housing Allowance 

Find out more about members of the Cliff Edge Coalition Working Group here.