Responding to the current situation in Northern Ireland around cuts to education and the recent budget announcement Save the Children, Head of Northern Ireland Peter Bryson said:

“We are deeply concerned about the impact of the recent budget cuts on children and their families living in poverty in Northern Ireland.

“Families who rely upon the social security system have told us they are already struggling to meet the costs of their basic needs such as food, heating, and clothing. The recently announced cuts to education are significantly reducing vital support and will negatively impact these families further. The long-term implications for children’s educational attainment, health and wellbeing, and future outcomes cannot be underestimated.

“We work with partners to deliver programmes that directly support families living in poverty and they are reporting unprecedented levels of need. They are rightly concerned about further reductions in the support available as well as the direct impact these budgetary decisions will have upon their own services both in terms of capacity and ongoing service provision.

“At the centre of every budget decision are thousands of children across Northern Ireland who deserve to live a life free from poverty. The scaffolding is being removed from their lives, many are struggling to survive, let alone thrive.

“There is an urgent need to protect and invest in early intervention and support services that offer our children and young people a brighter future.  The impact of these recent cuts and budget announcements will be felt by children most in need for generations to come.”

END