Menu
02/08/2002
Child poverty levels 'absolutely outrageous'
Save the Children has described as "absolutely outrageous" the findings of their report indicating child poverty had risen, and now afflicts almost half of Northern Ireland's children.
Entitled 'Poverty is…', the report details the increase in child poverty, with the organisation claiming that 32% of children live in households whose only income derives from benefits. A further 18% of children live in households that claim Working Family Tax Credit. This is an increase on the 1995 figure which revealed that one third of children were in danger of, or were living in, poverty.
The charity has called for action by decision-makers to turn around the current "appalling poverty levels".
Goretti Horgan, Researcher at Save the Children, said: "In 1995, we created shockwaves when we revealed that 1-in-3 children in Northern Ireland lived in poverty. It is absolutely outrageous that seven years on, the statistics are worse."
The grave threat such living conditions pose means that children from poor households are four more times more likely to die before the age of 20 than their peers. More shocking is the revelation that in Traveller families a child is 10 times more likely to die before the age of 10 than a child from the settled community. In view of the worsening conditions, Save the Children pledged to "make sure that the facts are known" in government.
Ms Horgan added: "It is not enough to be shocked and saddened by the statistics but we must work quickly to make sure that decisions are made to ensure that this appalling level of poverty does not continue and that all children in Northern Ireland have equal opportunity to health, education and hope for the future."
The report is part of the Beat Poverty Campaign, which is aimed to raise awareness of and fight child poverty around the world. Further details of this can be found on www.beatpoverty.org
(GMcG)
Entitled 'Poverty is…', the report details the increase in child poverty, with the organisation claiming that 32% of children live in households whose only income derives from benefits. A further 18% of children live in households that claim Working Family Tax Credit. This is an increase on the 1995 figure which revealed that one third of children were in danger of, or were living in, poverty.
The charity has called for action by decision-makers to turn around the current "appalling poverty levels".
Goretti Horgan, Researcher at Save the Children, said: "In 1995, we created shockwaves when we revealed that 1-in-3 children in Northern Ireland lived in poverty. It is absolutely outrageous that seven years on, the statistics are worse."
The grave threat such living conditions pose means that children from poor households are four more times more likely to die before the age of 20 than their peers. More shocking is the revelation that in Traveller families a child is 10 times more likely to die before the age of 10 than a child from the settled community. In view of the worsening conditions, Save the Children pledged to "make sure that the facts are known" in government.
Ms Horgan added: "It is not enough to be shocked and saddened by the statistics but we must work quickly to make sure that decisions are made to ensure that this appalling level of poverty does not continue and that all children in Northern Ireland have equal opportunity to health, education and hope for the future."
The report is part of the Beat Poverty Campaign, which is aimed to raise awareness of and fight child poverty around the world. Further details of this can be found on www.beatpoverty.org
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2023
One In Five Children In NI Are Experiencing Poverty - Report
More than one in five children in NI are experiencing poverty, according to a report by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition. The report was based on the number of children who live in a household with a below 60% median income after housing costs are removed. The statistics also revealed that 22.
One In Five Children In NI Are Experiencing Poverty - Report
More than one in five children in NI are experiencing poverty, according to a report by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition. The report was based on the number of children who live in a household with a below 60% median income after housing costs are removed. The statistics also revealed that 22.
17 December 2013
Child Poverty On The Increase
Child poverty in Northern Ireland continues to increase, according to a report entitled 'Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland, 2011/12' released today. The amount of children living in poverty increased between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the report found.
Child Poverty On The Increase
Child poverty in Northern Ireland continues to increase, according to a report entitled 'Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland, 2011/12' released today. The amount of children living in poverty increased between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the report found.
13 October 2003
One third of NI children live in poverty
A report published today has revealed that over one third's of Northern Ireland's children are living in poverty. The report, entitled Bare Necessities, was published on Monday by think-tank Democratic Dialogue. In it, university researchers revealed that 37.
One third of NI children live in poverty
A report published today has revealed that over one third's of Northern Ireland's children are living in poverty. The report, entitled Bare Necessities, was published on Monday by think-tank Democratic Dialogue. In it, university researchers revealed that 37.
10 January 2012
More Work Needed To Tackle Child Poverty
According to recent research more needs to be done to get children in Northern Ireland out of Poverty, with the British Government being blamed for the elimination target slipping. The charity Barnardos has revealed that two areas in Northern Ireland have two of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.
More Work Needed To Tackle Child Poverty
According to recent research more needs to be done to get children in Northern Ireland out of Poverty, with the British Government being blamed for the elimination target slipping. The charity Barnardos has revealed that two areas in Northern Ireland have two of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.
13 December 2024
Ban On Single-Use Vapes Coming To Northern Ireland
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes will come into effect in Northern Ireland on 1 June 2025. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir announced the decision, aligning with similar bans in Scotland, Wales, and England. The move aims to address the environmental impact of single-use vapes, which are often discarded and contribute to litter.
Ban On Single-Use Vapes Coming To Northern Ireland
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes will come into effect in Northern Ireland on 1 June 2025. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir announced the decision, aligning with similar bans in Scotland, Wales, and England. The move aims to address the environmental impact of single-use vapes, which are often discarded and contribute to litter.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
