To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) for an update on the development of the 2014-2017 Child Poverty Strategy; and (ii) to detail the timescale for the publication of the strategy.

Significant work has been undertaken, across departments, since the publication of the Executive’s first Child Poverty Strategy. Much has been documented in Annual Reports and a review of the Strategy was conducted last year. The proposed revised Child Poverty Strategy (2014-17) has also been informed by considerable work including research, the development of a Child Poverty Outcomes Framework; and public consultation.

Our vision is that no child here is disadvantaged by poverty or deprivation. We aim to reduce the number of children in poverty and deprivation and reduce the impact on children.

The revised strategy will contain actions focused on four high level outcomes; that:

Families experience economic well being;

Children in poverty learn and achieve;

Children in poverty are healthy; and

Children in poverty live in safe, secure and stable environments.

The revised Strategy sets out not only the actions we plan to take but also a new approach to our efforts to tackling child poverty, which will allow us to better assess performance and focus on the outcomes that we intend to achieve.

The revised Child Poverty Strategy will be published following Executive agreement and after laying in the Assembly.