SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said that the Executive is failing people across the North by not bringing forward an anti-poverty strategy.
It follows a High Court Ruling earlier this year, that the Executive were in breach of their legal obligation to deliver this strategy.
Speaking following an urgent oral question session in the Assembly on Monday 10th Marc 2025, the Foyle MLA said: “This week’s urgent oral question session revealed once again the ongoing failure of the Sinn Féin-DUP Executive to meet its legal obligation to deliver a comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy.
“Instead of taking responsibility for this critical oversight, Minister Givan, standing in for his party colleague Minister Lyons, chose to deflect blame rather than address the government’s lack of action.
“Sadly, the public have become all too familiar with the blame game at the heart of this Executive, passing the buck instead of taking accountability.
“The previous Sinn Féin Communities Minister promised me that this strategy would be delivered on her watch. It wasn’t.
“The current DUP Communities Minister told me a paper would be published in the New Year 2025. It wasn’t.
“How can this not be a priority for our political leaders?
“Despite promising to “Do What Matters Most” this Executive continues to fall short, they didn’t even see fit to include the delivery of the Anti-Poverty Strategy in their Programme for Government.
“Every day I see the devastating impact of growing poverty on our communities; from the requests for foodbank referrals to rising numbers of homelessness driven by the inability afford tenancies in the private rented sector.
“The blatant disregard from the Executive on this issue is a slap in the face for every family crying out for support,” added Mr Durkan.
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