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Minister, in the instance of people who are self-employed, such as those in the farming community, the gap of five weeks, which is how long it can take until eligibility is established for universal credit, can be financially very painful. Can you advise of the elements of welfare support that are available in those…
I thank the Member for raising that issue with me as well. She will be aware of the cross-nation approach that is taken with regard to benefits and welfare. However, I want to make sure that we are as helpful as possible, and senior officials have met representatives from the Ulster Farmers' Union and Rural Support to…
Like the Minister, I know the value of farmers in our rural communities and throughout Northern Ireland. The policies that the Labour Government have put in place are really driving farmers into poverty. It is very simple: no farmers, no food. I would like to know what practical support will come from the Minister's…
I am aware of the issue because I have had correspondence from the Member, and from Mrs Erskine as well. I assume that there are many people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone who have been affected. The Member will be aware that this is a result of policy change in the Department for Work and Pensions. In many ways, our…
Thank you for your response. Minister, do you accept that some individuals and farmers rely solely on seasonal work for their income and, as a result, earn less than the minimum income floor? What can the Minister do in such cases to support individuals whose income may fluctuate over a period of time?
Universal credit (UC) can support claimants in self-employment when that is their best route to financial independence. The minimum income floor is broadly a notional amount of earned income that is used to calculate a person’s UC award. It applies to those in gainful self-employment whose business has been running…
I do not agree with the Member that the issue of poverty is not found in the draft Programme for Government. You need only look at a number of the actions that the Executive have put forward, which will have a real and meaningful impact on tackling poverty, whether that is creating more jobs, improving our education…
Minister, you want to get on with it, and I encourage you to get on with it. We have been back for nearly a year. We have not seen the anti-poverty strategy yet, but I am encouraged that you have said that it will be published before the end of the financial year. If it is so important, why was it not mentioned in the…
The co-design group had a very important role to play as the strategy was developed and, certainly, before I came into office. I look forward to consulting it throughout the process. However, for me, what is important is making sure that we finalise the draft strategy, get it to the Executive, get it out for…
Thank you. I was not sure that I was going to get in. I would be grateful if the Minister could confirm whether the anti-poverty co-design group has been involved up to this point? What role do you see it playing over the next few months?
Absolutely. I agree, and you have only to look at the policies of the Labour Government to realise that they will do nothing to help with poverty. We have policies that damage growth, and that means less money for public services. We have policies that are driving up inflation and costs, which will make it more likely…
Every form of poverty is a stain on any nation. Does the Minister agree that a Labour Government whose policies have made pensioners poor, made farmers poor and made businesses poor and have killed growth in the UK economy in the meantime will do absolutely nothing to create the sustainable, healthy economy that we…
It is my hope to get the strategy out as soon as possible, and that is what I am trying to do. For me, however, the most important thing is that we can get buy-in and that we have all Departments signed up to it, with actions that we can progress. I want to have it passed by the Executive and out for consultation by…
Minister, almost one in four children live in poverty, and many families continue to struggle to afford basic essentials. You referred to early 2025: will you give us the latest date by which the Executive will have an anti-poverty strategy to consider?
My officials and I have been working with other Departments in the past months to make sure that we do not fall into that situation again. That is why we have taken our time to make sure that we get the strategy right, that we have deliverable actions and, most important, that those actions make a real difference to…
I thank the Minister for his answer. No doubt he will recall the recent Public Accounts Committee report, which highlighted stark failings in the child poverty strategy. What steps is he taking to ensure that the same failings, such as its not being fully costed or sufficiently targeted and not properly working with…
My officials are continuing their work on the development of the Executive's anti-poverty strategy, which will aim to minimise the risks and impact of poverty, including child poverty. My Department is engaging with officials from all Departments to discuss the development of the strategy, and I am encouraged by the…
I have said on a number of occasions that an agreement was made in 2011.That agreement was made on the basis of fairness and of all the sports that had identified their needs getting a share of the money. Windsor Park has received the money that it was promised, as has Ravenhill. I look forward to distributing the…
Minister, will you give a clear commitment that the GAA will not receive more than its fair share of funding compared with the money already awarded to football and rugby?
I do not have the exact figures for Casement Park, but I am happy to provide the Member with that information. Very little has been spent on the football fund, although we have been able to give some financial support to clubs that are developing business cases. I have no issue with giving the Member that information,…
I have already outlined whom I have met, the meeting that took place in October and the correspondence that I have had with the Secretary of State. We need some realism here: the issue is the funding gap. That is the problem. Either an additional contribution of funds or a more modest proposal is needed, or else we…
On Casement Park, the Minister will know that the period between now and the end of March is critical for that iconic bellwether project. Yesterday, it was four months since the HM Treasury announcement. The Minister met uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael , Jarlath Burns, and Ulster GAA in October, and it appears that…
Yes. The Northern Ireland Football Fund was another key element of that Executive agreement. I am pleased to tell the House that we will open applications to that very soon. That will be a key milestone in that programme. I want to see that happen, and I believe that we will be able to open applications by the end of…
Sports clubs in my constituency are looking forward to potentially having their grounds redeveloped and improved. Will the Minister give an update on the Northern Ireland Football Fund (NIFF)?