Department for Communities Budget 2023-24: Equality impact assessment consultation response

Activity: Other

Description

Written response to the consultation on the equality impact assessment of the Department for Communities (NI) Budget for 2023-24. We highlight the increased risk of destitution associated with under-staffing of universal credit and Move to UC functions within the Department. We also warn of the resulting possibility that rights protected by Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights might be infringed if insufficient discretionary support is available to people in this position. In extreme cases, destitute individuals might suffer inhuman and degrading treatment or a lack of respect for family life.
Period7 Jun 2023
Held atDepartment for Communities NI

Keywords

  • social security
  • budget
  • destitution
  • human rights
  • inhuman and degrading treatment
  • respect for family life
  • welfare state
  • universal credit
  • discretionary support
  • social rights
  • northern ireland
  • devolution