Civic support for Child Poverty Task Force motion

Cr Reid said: “I welcome the support of Mid and East Antrim Council colleagues for our motion on child poverty. 22 per cent of all children here in the North live in relative poverty, 122,000 children. These statistics are horrifying and they need to be addressed. While poverty exists in every part of Northern Ireland, my own community in Ballymena has particularly high levels of deprivation. The rise of the Universal Credit claimant count and expected end of the furlough scheme could see a further increase in these numbers, with the two-child tax credit rule and benefit cap only adding to the pressure on families with children.”

Cr Reid described the issue as “absolutely urgent” and said he hoped the Minister “heeds the call of our Council and convenes a child poverty task force”.