Around 17,000 children in Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from a major package of government measures aimed at tackling child poverty, following the removal of the two-child limit

on benefits.

The change forms the flagship policy of the government’s new Child Poverty Strategy, which aims to lift 550,000 children out of poverty across the UK by 2030.

The strategy, published last week, includes a range of measures designed to boost family incomes. These include an increase to the National Living Wage, the first sustained above-inflation rise in the Universal Credit standard allowance, and reforms to the Child Maintenance Service. Ministers say the package will provide financial support to thousands of households across Northern Ireland struggling with the cost of living.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Matthew Patrick MP, and Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, marked the announcement with a visit to a Trussell food bank in North Belfast. The visit focused on how UK-wide policies and local initiatives are working together to support families facing financial hardship.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Matthew Patrick said:

“Every child deserves to be given the best start in life, and this Government is working with the Executive to lift a generation of children out of poverty in Northern Ireland. 

I want to commend Trussell for being a place that offers welcome, hope, and dignity to people, while also providing practical advice and helping to alleviate hardship”.

Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: 

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Trussell today with Minister Patrick to discuss the issue of child poverty, the work of Trussell in combatting poverty, and the operation of the North Belfast Foodbank.

One of my key priorities is addressing poverty in all its forms and I remain committed to delivering long-term, sustainable solutions to poverty for communities right across Northern Ireland, including children and young people, through the implementation of a robust Anti-Poverty Strategy.

The Anti-Poverty Strategy will aim to address poverty and the impacts of socio-economic disadvantage and set out the Executive’s commitment to a joined up, long term approach to addressing poverty”.

Reverend Philip McCrea, Chairperson of the Trussell North Belfast Food Bank said:

“We are delighted to welcome Minister Patrick and Minister Lyons to our food bank in North Belfast to see first hand the work that goes on to help support people in poverty. We spoke about the Government’s decision to lift the two child limit, which was something we lobbied the UK Government to do for years, and is therefore a move very much welcomed by us”.

The Child Poverty Strategy underpins the government’s wider Plan for Change, which aims to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure children can thrive regardless of their background.