Law Centre NI response to the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy.
This grossly inadequate approach to poverty cannot be accepted: The price of failure is too high to pay.
Law Centre NI (LCNI) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Northern Ireland Executive’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy (2025–2035). However, it is critical that the right Strategy is brought forward to effectively address deepening poverty across Northern Ireland. Without a clear and actionable plan, LCNI have serious doubts about this Strategy’s ability to have a substantial impact upon poverty across NI.
Our response to the Strategy.
Due to the reflections outlined in our full response, we urgently call on the Executive to review the Strategy and provide appropriate solutions to the following concerns. In its current form, the proposed Strategy lacks a legislative or structural framework to guarantee long-term accountability. It also makes no reference to a ring-fenced budget to support the delivery of strategic commitments and initiatives. Furthermore, as set out in the Executive’s own Programme for Government, all strategies must include measurable objectives, targets, and timelines. Their omission here is gravely concerning.
We are equally troubled by the disregard of the co-design group’s work, particularly the perspectives of those with lived experience. Finally, we are concerned by the call for additional research into the Two Child Limit. Extensive evidence already demonstrates its damaging impact; further research is unnecessary.
Northern Ireland is home to deep seated poverty related to years of conflict. Economic recovery has been made more difficult by long-term economic deprivation and a relative lack of investment, low pay levels, high levels of economic inactivity, and high levels of poor mental health.
Statistics
Recent statistics highlight that poverty is worsening across Northern Ireland:
- 17% of individuals (331,000) and 23% of children (104,000) live in relative poverty
- 15% of individuals (291,000) and 20% of children (90,000) live in absolute poverty
Children are now more likely to live in poverty than any other group in NI.
This trend is statistically significant — and acutely alarming.
If this Strategy fails to adequately address Poverty it will act as a barrier to the realisation of other fundamental rights of the people of NI, therefore it is imperative that this strategy is not accepted in its current form, and LCNI urge the Executive to consider our key considerations and recommendations in this response. The fundamental human right to live a life free from poverty must be the cornerstone of any Anti-Poverty Strategy.
* Relative Poverty is when a household receives 60% of the average household income in their own economy. They do have some money, however, not enough to afford anything above the basics.
* Absolute poverty refers to a level of poverty where people struggle to meet daily needs, such as food, shelter, sanitation and healthcare.
“It is vital that the draft Strategy is strengthened to ensure it tackles poverty decisively, effectively, and sustainably. We urge the NI Executive to act now by implementing our evidence-led recommendations without delay, to guarantee that people are protected and that their fundamental human rights are upheld.”
Holly Knox.
Policy and Community Engagement Officer
LCNI welcome further engagement with interested parties on this briefing paper.
Please contact Holly (Policy and Community Engagement Officer) or Jenni (Communications and Impact Officer) for further information.
- Holly Knox, Policy and Community Engagement Officer holly.knox@lawcentreni.org
- Jenni Martin, Communications and Impact Officer jenni.martin@lawcentreni.org