New Blog: Reflections on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
An Overview of the Event
To mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, on Friday 18th October Law Centre NI Chief Executive Officer Eddie Lynch and Policy and Community Engagement Officer Holly Knox attended the ‘Poverty Free Future’ event hosted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
At this event, organisations from across Northern Ireland joined together to listen to a variety of addresses exploring the jurisdictional differences in the context of poverty, and discussing how we can effectively and strategically move towards a poverty free future.
This event included speakers such as Baroness Ruth Lister, Bertrand Maitre (Economic and Social Research Institute), Chris Birt (Jospeh Rowntree Foundation), and Steffan Bevan (Bevan Foundation). The harmful impact of poverty was clearly evidenced across each nation, with presentations detailing data, evidence and initiatives to address poverty, such as the Scottish Child Payment.
Key Takeaways
A number of our key takeaways from the event are as follows:
- The social security system must be sufficiently resourced
At LCNI, we believe that freedom from poverty should be treated as a foundational right. This would be supported by a social security system which is adequately resourced. Amidst a cost of living crisis and harmful policies such as the Two-Child Limit and No Recourse to Public Funds Condition, it is clear that many individuals and families are unable to meet their basic needs. A human rights based approach must be made central to any policy ensuring that those who are most in need have and can access sufficient social security resources.
- The cost of inaction is too high
As evidenced across the different jurisdictions, it is clear that poverty has significant financial implications, in addition to measures which aim to address poverty. At LCNI, we believe that ambitious investment would lead to effective and sustainable policies. The cost of investment will be worth it and lead to enhanced outcomes for many.
- The need for timely action
With rising, deepening poverty levels across Northern Ireland we need to see action now – without further delay. Specifically, as we await the publication of the NI Executive’s draft Anti-Poverty Strategy, it is evident that we need the right Strategy to effectively address poverty – one which includes targets, measurables and actions to truly support those who are most in need across NI.
Our Next Steps
Across Northern Ireland, it is clear that there has been significant work undertaken to date to alleviate the harmful impacts of poverty which are experienced by many. For example, as Convenor of the Cliff Edge Coalition, we have seen the positive policy changes which can result through collaborative efforts and actions which have a tangible impact upon individuals across NI. This includes securing the indefinite extension of the mitigation of the Social Sector Size Criteria, and the extension of the remaining mitigations until March 2028.
Reflecting on this event, Policy and Community Engagement Officer Holly Knox said,
‘At LCNI, we were delighted to join alongside our colleagues from across the sector to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Through a collaborative approach, we can effectively work together in the common goal of alleviating the harmful impacts of poverty. At LCNI we remain solution focused and dedicated to our anti-poverty work, and will continue to engage with our colleagues on these matters to achieve positive policy changes – together’.
Please see Law Centre NI’s response to the recent Anti –Poverty Draft Strategy and the Cliff Edge Coalition Statement.
For more information on Law Centre NI’s Anti-Poverty (Social Security Rights) Project, please contact Holly via email holly.knox@lawcentreni.org