To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any specific measures within the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy which will address the needs of low to middle income working households, who are not in receipt of benefits, but are experiencing financial hardship.

The Executive’s draft Anti-Poverty Strategy aims to address poverty and the impacts of socio-economic disadvantage by means of a joined up, cross-departmental, long-term approach.

Addressing the needs of low to middle income working households, who are not in receipt of benefits is a key priority for me.

The draft Anti-Poverty Strategy contains a number of interventions which will help a wide range of people experiencing financial hardship. These include supports to help people increase income, address debt or other issues which impact on their lives and increase their incomes. Some of the most relevant commitments, which are delivered by Departments across the Executive, include:

Working with delivery partners to scope an NI Debt Respite Scheme.

Working with the Money and Pension Service to implement a local delivery plan for the UK Financial Wellbeing Strategy.

Continuing to deliver the Extended Schools Programme which provides a range of support in the form of breakfast clubs, after school activities, parental engagement, literacy and numeracy support, healthy eating etc.

Introducing legislation to ensure that school uniforms are affordable for all families.

Developing and delivering a Warm Healthy Homes Strategy

Bringing forward a draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy for public consultation.

Continuing to support the advice sector to ensure that good quality, free, independent, advice is available to those living in or at risk of poverty.

This list is not exhaustive, and final content of the Anti-Poverty Strategy will be dependent on budgetary priorities across all departments, and subject to Executive Agreement.