The Workers Party is greatly concerned, but perhaps unsurprised, by the absence of the promised Anti-Poverty Strategy in the Programme for Government, that demonstrates contempt and a deliberate and wilful lack of concern for the hundreds and thousands of those working-class people who live in poverty and in multiple deprivation.

Median household income in Northern Ireland fell by 5% compared to 1% across other areas of the UK. This disparity is one of the main drivers behind the increased poverty levels experienced in Northern Ireland. Reports indicate that 349,000 people were estimated to be living in relative poverty a 2% increase on the previous report and 271,000 people were estimated to be living in absolute poverty an increase of 1% on the previous figures.

The percentage of children living in relative poverty is 24% an increase of 6% on the previous 18%, and children living in absolute poverty rose from 15% to 19% in the same period, these statistics cover the 2021 - 2022 and 2022 - 2023 periods. It is little wonder that our political leaders are choosing to ignore these inconvenient truths.

Some areas in Belfast have the highest rates of poverty and multiple deprivations, and health inequalities are amongst the highest in Northern Ireland. Life expectancy for men and women are lower than the average across Northern Ireland. North Belfast, for example, has alarmingly high levels of mental ill-health, the third highest levels of death from respiratory disease, and many other forms of ill-health.

All these problems stem from the systemic poverty and deprivation working-class people are forced to endure. The Executive is obliged by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to put in place an Anti-poverty Strategy to tackle poverty, social exclusion and deprivation. Yet, the Programme for Government offers nothing but promises and commission reports - an exercise in paralysis by analysis.

Working people already know the true extent of their problems. Enough time has been wasted on sectarianism, flag waving, vested and sectional interests. It is now time for Executive to deliver on their obligations to those who have suffered and continue to suffer the consequences of the Executive’s failure to act. Glossy brochures and smiling photo opportunities are cold comfort to those who are having to make daily trips to food banks or decisions on going without food so that their children or others in the household can eat.