KELLY: CHILD POVERTY MUST BE DEALT WITH!

SDLP Strabane Cllr Patsy Kelly has said a realistic government strategy to tackle child poverty is urgently needed to reduce deprivation among children in Strabane.

Speaking after the End Child Poverty campaign revealed that Strabane council area has one of the highest poverty rates in the North, at 31%, 

“It is extremely alarming that almost one third of children here in Strabane are living below the breadline and it underlines the urgent need for government to address this by affording greater protection to families living in poverty.

“With the stripping back of the child tax credit scheme, draconian cuts to benefits and people losing their jobs left, right and centre, many families are trapped in poverty and innocent children are suffering as a result.

“The Stormont Executive has failed in meeting their legal obligations to children as laid out in the 2010 Child Poverty Act and this must not be allowed to continue as many people’s financial situations are worsening by the day and they are being plunged deeper into poverty.

“Strabane has been historically neglected by Stormont and has suffered high levels of joblessness and deprivation due to this underinvestment. We need an effective strategy from government to stimulate employment here, tackle child poverty and reverse this widespread hardship.”