Northern Ireland's draft anti-poverty strategy under scrutiny after long delay

Northern Ireland’s long-delayed anti-poverty strategy faces scrutiny despite executive approval

After 18 years of delay, Stormont’s plan moves forward — but questions remain over ambition, engagement, and implementation

BELFAST — The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed on a long-awaited draft anti-poverty strategy, marking a key milestone in addressing social deprivation across the region. However, critics argue the strategy lacks sufficient ambition, transparency, and engagement with experts and community stakeholders.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill acknowledged that the current draft “could probably go further,” but stressed there was no intra-governmental “row” between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) over the document.

“Is there differences of approach at times? Yes. On this issue, do I think it could go further? Probably yes, but let’s work that out through consultation,” O’Neill said.

A legal obligation 18 years in the making

An anti-poverty strategy was first mandated in 2006, inserted into the Northern Ireland Act following the St Andrews Agreement. Despite legal requirements, multiple court rulings, and public pressure, no strategy had been adopted until this week. In March 2025, a High Court judgment found Stormont’s Executive Committee to be in breach of its legal duty.

The new draft must now go out for public consultation, after which it will return to the Executive for any final changes before implementation can begin across departments.

Differing political tones

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons (DUP), who inherited the role from Sinn Féin’s Deirdre Hargey following the restoration of Stormont in 2024, submitted the draft approximately six weeks ago. He stated that the document “draws heavily” on previous work and has been updated to reflect current economic and social conditions.

“We have all been working together to get something that works,” Lyons said.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly called the Executive meeting “very constructive,” affirming that the strategy aims to target “real-life impacts of poverty” and direct funding to those in greatest need.

Criticism from civil society and experts

Despite the Executive's unified front, organisations that have long campaigned for such a strategy expressed deep frustration. Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, vice chair of the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network, said the first minister’s lukewarm tone did not inspire confidence.

“Poverty needs to become a political priority and I’m not confident it is a political priority with our current executive,” Fitzpatrick told the BBC.

The charity Save the Children echoed those concerns, urging the Executive to ensure the strategy is “ambitious” and driven by the lived experiences of families. It called for cross-departmental prioritisation and sufficient funding to make a measurable impact.

Trása Canavan of Barnardo’s — and a member of the Anti-Poverty Strategy Group — revealed that her organisation had not seen or been consulted on the latest draft.

“We really hoped that [our input] would have informed the draft, but I can’t tell you what’s in it because we haven’t been engaged in the process,” she said.

Stark statistics underscore the urgency

According to the Department for Communities, around 22% of children in Northern Ireland currently live in poverty. The figures show 23% in relative poverty and 20% in absolute poverty — reflecting an urgent need for intervention amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Catherine Davidson, acting principal of Ballysillan Primary School, highlighted the pressures on schools and families:

“For children to be ready to learn, we have to put in the strategies to help — whether that be subsidised breakfast clubs, a walking bus in the morning, or helping with uniforms and stationery.”

How Northern Ireland compares

While there is no UK-wide anti-poverty strategy, different parts of the UK and Ireland have implemented targeted measures:

• Wales introduced an updated Child Poverty Strategy in 2024, focused on income support and pathways out of poverty.

• Scotland legislated under the Child Poverty Act (2017) with strict targets to reduce both relative and absolute child poverty to under 10% and 5%, respectively, by 2030.

• The Republic of Ireland has maintained anti-poverty initiatives since 1997, evolving to address modern social exclusion.

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s UK government launched a ministerial taskforce in 2024 to begin work on a child poverty strategy, although it remains in early stages.

A cautious step forward

The Executive's adoption of a draft strategy marks a symbolic step forward, but the lack of transparency, limited consultation, and concerns over funding may weaken public trust in its potential.

With public consultation pending, the Northern Ireland Executive has an opportunity to refine the draft and ensure that its strategy is not just a legal obligation — but a transformative blueprint for reducing poverty and inequality.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for continued coverage of poverty reduction policy, social justice reforms, and political accountability in the UK and beyond.