Rich and poor gap widens

The number of jobs in Northern Ireland is continuing to rise, fewer people are on very low wages and more people have qualifications, says a report by the Economic Development Forum, of which NICVA is a member.

In its first review of the economy since publication of 'Working Together for a Stronger Economy' in 2002, it says these encouraging findings are balanced by redundancies in manufacturing, a high rate of illiteracy and low investment in research and development.

The report highlights the widening gap between rich and poor as one of the key weaknesses saying:

“In recent years there has been an important, and understandable, focus on resolving the inequality between communities in Northern Ireland while the gap between the richest and poorest in our society has widened. Genuine joined-up approaches need to be found to redress this imbalance which is unacceptable from both a humanitarian and economic perspective .”

The report cites the ‘Bare Necessities’ study, published by Democratic Dialogue in October 2003, that found that 500, 000 people in Northern Ireland currently live in poverty.

On the plus side, the review found that employment levels continue to rise, earnings are on the increase and Northern Ireland is catching up with the UK in terms of some skill levels. However, productivity is not rising fast enough, numbers of business start-ups are low, and there has been a fall in manufacturing exports and research and development activity.

EDF member, Peter Bunting, of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions , said poverty levels in Northern Ireland are “appalling and unacceptable ” and that the ‘Bare Necessities’ report made “disturbing and uncomfortable reading ”.

He continued “The gap between the richest and the poorest in our society has been growing and must be reversed as a matter of urgency. The Trade Union movement in Northern Ireland believes this issue can be addressed by improving the skills levels of all citizens affected .”

The report identifies NICVA’s £1 million Management Development Programme as a positive example of enhancing the skills of Northern Ireland’s workforce.

The review calls on employers, government, politicians and society in general to respond to the challenge of its findings.

To read the report, visit the EDF page on this site.

For more information contact Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA:

Seamus McAleavey
028 9087 7777