Initial Comparator Paper – the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy for consultation 2025 – against previous recommendations
Published:
June 19, 2025
Policy Area(s):Democratic Governance
Keywords:Equality and Discrimination, Peace Process
This report provides a detailed comparison between the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy (2025), released for public consultation by the NI Executive, and previous recommendations made by expert panels, co-design groups, and cross-departmental working groups since 2021.
Structured across three core pillars: Minimising Risk, Minimising Impacts, and Exiting Poverty. The strategy outlines strategic commitments but lacks detailed action plans or a defined delivery programme. This absence limits the ability to assess its potential effectiveness.
Key findings of the report highlight that the 2025 draft Anti-Poverty Strategy:
- Does not adopt the call for a legislative framework such as an Anti-Poverty Act or the establishment of an independent Anti-Poverty Commission.
- Omits specific poverty reduction targets, including those for child and working-age poverty.
- Abandons core proposals like a new Child Payment, cost-free education, and restoring child-related benefits.
- Commits to limited actions in areas like childcare, regional economic balance, fuel poverty, and housing – often building on existing programs rather than introducing new initiatives.
- Defines poverty and references “objective need,” but lacks the robust measurement tools and statutory duties previously proposed.
- The paper ultimately reflects concerns that the draft strategy, while acknowledging previous work, falls short of earlier recommendations in ambition, accountability, and resourcing – especially in legally embedding anti-poverty commitments and prioritising long-term, transformative change.
🗓 Consultation Period: 17 June – 19 September 2025