ICESCR concluding observations 2025, paragraph 45
Plain English recommendation
Government should:
(a) Do more to address different causes of poverty, especially in Northern Ireland. This should be done by setting clear, measurable targets and paying special attention to groups most affected, like migrants, ethnic minorities, disabled people, female-headed households and LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in the hardest-hit areas. Ensure there are enough resources to properly monitor and implement these plans;
(b) Do more to end child poverty, including changing taxes and increasing spending. This includes in Jersey. These actions should centre around children’s rights, have clear targets and deadlines, have regular reporting and oversight, involve the people affected and have enough resources to be implemented;
(c) Children’s social care services should be better funded everywhere. These services should support low-income families, to prevent children from being separated from their families and from being kept in the care of others longer term. This should align with other anti-poverty plans, social security policies and the recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child;
(d) Do more to ensure everyone can access affordable electricity, gas, water, sanitation, heating and clothing.
Original UN recommendation
Recalling its previous recommendation, the Committee urges the State Party, along with the devolved governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales:
(a) To develop or enhance measures to address the multidimensional determinants of poverty, particularly in Northern Ireland, by focusing on poverty eradication through clear, measurable targets, paying particular attention to groups disproportionately affected, including migrants, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, female-headed households and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, in the regions and cities most affected and ensure sufficient resources for effective monitoring and implementation;
(b) To expedite the adoption or enhancement of measures, including necessary fiscal reforms and increased budget allocations, to end child poverty, including in Jersey, ensuring that they comply with a child rights-based approach, setting clear targets and timelines, establishing reporting obligations and oversight and participatory mechanisms and providing adequate resources for implementation;
(c) To allocate sufficient resources to the children’s social care system across all jurisdictions with a view to supporting low-income families, to prevent the separation of children from their family environment and their institutionalization or placement in alternative care and, in coordination with anti-poverty strategies and social security policies, to take into account the recommendations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in that regard;
(d) To step up measures to ensure that everyone has access to affordable electricity, gas, water, sanitation, heating and clothing.
Date of UN examination
12/03/2025
Original UN document
Download the original ICESCR concluding observations 2025 on the UN website.
Last updated on 21/08/2025