4.3 million children are in poverty UK govt won’t see progress on child poverty by 2029 even with high economic growth 📢 Our analysis shows under our central scenario only Scotland will see child poverty rates fall by 2029 in large part due to social security policies 1/5

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New analysis suggests the recent rise in health-related benefit claims is likely to be partly explained by the sharp drop in real incomes from the cost of living crisis. Social security should be there for any of us when we need it, such as losing a job or becoming unwell.

🔎Our Poverty in Northern Ireland (2025) report highlights that two consistent challenges emerge in the local labour market: pay and hours. 👩‍💼Almost half (45%) of all workers here have experienced low pay in one of the last 5 years.

Join us and @MovementsTrust @SocialChangeLab on 9th December for the webinar launch of our movement survey report 'Small Movements, Big Change.' 🔎 We'll see insights from the report shared, and hear from some of the movements featured. Sign up now:

"That would mean the single greatest fall [in child poverty] in one Parliament since records began." Look at how this Parliament could compare to previous ones back to 1964. An excellent foundation to build from, as @KatieSchmuecker says.

Lifting more than half a million children out of poverty by the end of the parliament - now that's the government putting its money where its mouth is on its manifesto commitment to reduce child poverty. More to do, but a good foundation to build from.

Far too many children are going without enough food, a warm home or have parents who are unable to keep up with bills. 🌤️ But the measures in the Child Poverty Strategy will make a real difference, ensuring more children have the healthy, happy childhood that everyone deserves.

The strategy is right to highlight the terrible impact living in temporary accommodation has on children and families, and it makes explicit commitments to reduce the need for it. 📈 The government also says it will boost family incomes through our social security system.

🚼 Abolishing the two-child limit in Universal Credit will make an immediate and material difference to children in families who were at a much higher risk of hardship. Making childcare more accessible to families on UC will also give many more children a better start in life.

📉 This morning, the government published its full Child Poverty Strategy, setting out plans to reduce hardship for children growing up in the UK by the end of the parliament. It's a crucial commitment to delivering on one of their central manifesto promises.

Read our full report:

⚖️ This would be a vital step towards creating a fairer Northern Ireland, and it's just one of the actions the Executive could take to make a real difference. They must pick up the pace and take tackling child poverty seriously before Assembly elections take place in 2027.

📊 Our modelling shows that a targeted, Northern Ireland child payment would make the most immediate and effective impact. It would benefit around 150,000 children and provide families in the lowest income third with an average gain of almost £2,800 a year.

The Executive’s final Anti-Poverty Strategy, due early next year, will set the agenda for the next decade. 🔎 It must address the challenges facing NI, with rising child poverty, housing costs and insecure, low-paying work all pushing families into hardship.

Children are bearing the brunt of poverty in Northern Ireland. Too many families face unthinkable choices between feeding their children or keeping their homes warm. 18 months out from the next Assembly election, our Poverty in NI report looks at the action that's needed 🔽

They must also commit to implementing longer-term reforms in the labour market that ensure work is a more reliable route out of poverty. Read our full report here:

🌐 With costs rising and local labour market challenges, the social security system is the most effective way to ensure more children and families are protected from poverty in NI. The Executive must act to build a better safety net that’s there for everyone when they need it.

⏱️ Workers are often limited to part-time, irregular or zero-hours contracts, restricting overall earnings even when hourly pay is above minimum wage. Our report shows that all adults in a household need to work in order to stay afloat, putting lone parents particularly at risk.

⛔ Examples of these barriers to work include: - Unaffordable and inaccessible childcare - Lack of support for other caring roles - Poor regional availability of Disability Confident and flexible workplaces All play a part in increasing hardship for families.

Many of us think that getting and keeping paid work protects us from poverty. But our report today challenges that view. 🔎 The reality for people in Northern Ireland is that too many are held back by low pay and significant barriers to work that keep them trapped in hardship.