New UK action plan on poverty and social inclusion published

In line with its EU commitments, government has published its latest National Action Plan (NAP) poverty and on social inclusion. The plan outlines the most important issues for the UK in the fight against poverty and social exclusion from 2003 to 2005.

Contributing to the EU’s long-term goal that there should be a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty, across Europe, by 2010, the UK has set itself a target to halve child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020. The plan has been produced with reference to a common outline agreed between the Member States and the European Commission.

This is the second UK NAP and this time round the priorities are: facilitating participation in employment and access by all to resources, rights, goods and services; preventing the risks of exclusion; protecting the most vulnerable; and mobilising all relevant bodies. The document states: “This NAP emphasises links between government action at all levels and the important role of the voluntary and community sector. It is informed by the views of people with experience of poverty and of the NGOs which support them. This has allowed us: to identify what works well; to find areas where there are problems; and to plan for more effective participation in the future .” Voluntary and community groups from Northern Ireland were involved on some of the working groups which helped prepare the action plan.

The report identifies that certain groups are at a particular disadvantage. Overall 22% of the population live on low incomes. But that proportion rises to: 30% of children; 41% of people where the head of the household is from an ethnic minority; and 29% of people in a family with a disabled person.

To read the NAP document please open the pdf file below or visit www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2003/nap/index.asp


UK National Action Plan (483Kb)