Call for anti-poverty strategy to aid most deprived areas in NI

CALLS have been made for more investment in Belfast and Londonderry after the cities were revealed to be among Northern Ireland’s worst deprivation hotspots.

Half of our 100 most deprived areas are in the Belfast region, with 20 in the Derry City and Strabane Council district.

The details were published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

It has prompted calls for government intervention.

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon, whose North Belfast constituency includes some of the most disadvantaged areas, blamed years of under-investment.

“Sadly, these statistics come as no surprise to me or to anyone working on the front line in north Belfast. This is as a result of the systemic decline when it comes to government investment,” she said.

“If we are to reverse this trend then we need critical investment in education, employment and housing.”

Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey, who represents South Belfast, said an anti-poverty strategy was urgently needed.

“Whilst the figures have just been published and need to be carefully studied, it is already evident from them that substantial inequalities still exist between and within communities,” he said.

“For instance, the highest levels of multiple deprivation are still occurring in the Belfast and Derry-Strabane council areas.

“These inequalities need to be robustly tackled if we are going to improve the lives of everyone and help them fulfil their true potential.

“It will be imperative that any incoming Executive utilises the most recent data to fully develop an anti-poverty strategy which clearly targets those most in need, setting out the actions and outcomes they plan to achieve alongside a budget for ensuring the work is carried out.

“That needs to be a priority and I am continuing to engage with departmental officials as they prepare proposals for the anti-poverty strategy.”

The top 100 most deprived areas also include five rural listings such as Forkhill, near Newry.

To measure the degree of deprivation, NISRA assessors looked at the income, employment, health and education of those living in a particular area.

They also examined the built environment and crime rates.