The Equality Coalition and the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN) are urging local councils to pass a motion calling for an Anti-Poverty Strategy based on objective need to be urgently enacted by the NI Assembly.
Councils have an opportunity to focus on poverty within their districts and join the collective voice in calling for the immediate prioritisation of an anti-poverty strategy that aims to eradicate poverty.
Robyn Scott, Communications & Equality Coalition Coordinator, said: “These are desperate times for people living below the poverty line, especially those who were already struggling to make ends meet day to day before the cost-of-living crisis.
“We urgently need an anti-poverty strategy to protect those in our society who are most vulnerable and least able to adapt to times of economic strife.
“The situation becomes even more absurd when you consider that there has been a legal obligation for the strategy to be developed since the 2006 St Andrews Agreement legislation.
“It will soon be 20 years overdue and we have waited far too long already.
“Further delays are unacceptable.”
The motion calls on councils to:
Invite a representative from NIAPN or the Equality Coalition to present to the council about the key recommendations for an anti-poverty strategy.
Endorse the following recommended vision for the anti-poverty strategy: “Northern Ireland is an equal society where poverty and its impacts are eradicated, and that respects, protects, promotes and fulfils the rights of those at risk of poverty to ensure they achieve their aspirations.”
Increase the visibility of the council’s anti-poverty action plans, including the resources available to those within the council area experiencing poverty.
A NIAPN spokesperson said: “Councils see the impacts of the harshest realities of poverty and have an intimate knowledge of poverty within their districts.
“We acknowledge that many councils have implemented programmes and action plans to address poverty – particularly as the Assembly was not functioning.
“Now, with a return of the Executive, we need to see a renewed sense of urgency from councils.
“They should continue to shine a light on poverty and demand that Stormont act quickly to enact an anti-poverty strategy that will eradicate poverty.”
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