How can we tackle child poverty in Northern Ireland

Persistent poverty in Northern Ireland (21 per cent before housingcosts) is double that in Great Britain (9 per cent). More families thereexperience poverty at some point than in Britain.There are four main reasons for higher persistent poverty in NorthernIreland. High levels of worklessness means that 31 per cent of the working-agepopulation is not in paid work, higher than any GB region and 6 percent higher than the GB average.High rates of disability and limiting long-term illness, especially mental ill-health makes it difficult for some to be in paid employmen.Low wages: the median wage for men working full-time is 85 percent of that for British men.Poor-quality part-time jobs and obstacles to mothers working contribute to the persistence of child poverty in the region.