Motion

Impact of the Ongoing Increase in the Cost of Living

Motion TitleImpact of the Ongoing Increase in the Cost of Living

Motion TextThat this Assembly notes that, according to data published by the Office for National Statistics on 22 October 2025, the inflation rate is at 3.8 per cent which is higher than the EU average; further notes that this rate of inflation is nearly double the Bank of England's 2 per cent target; is deeply concerned with the persistent rise in the cost of living and the impact it is having on workers, families and communities; commends the Executive on its firm refusal to impose unfair taxes and charges on already struggling workers and families; recognises that many will face increased financial pressure in the weeks leading up to Christmas and throughout the winter; further recognises the vital work being carried out by voluntary and community sector organisations in supporting vulnerable groups who are disproportionately affected by the rise in the cost of living; acknowledges the ongoing concerns expressed by the sector with regards to the shortcomings of the draft anti-poverty strategy published by the Minister for Communities; and calls on the Minister for Communities to revise his draft anti-poverty strategy to set out what actions he will take to support and equip those organisations and communities dealing with the increased cost of living challenges.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office03/11/2025

Date Selected By Committee04/11/2025

Date of Plenary Debate17/11/2025

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Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Colm Gildernew	MLA - Fermanagh and South Tyrone
Ms Emma Sheerin	MLA - Mid Ulster
Mrs Cathy Mason	MLA - South Down
Miss Áine Murphy	MLA - Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion, As Amended, Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

Number	Tabled Date	Amendment Text
1	13/11/2025	Leave out all after ‘published by the Minister for Communities;’ and insert: ‘notes with concern that food prices have risen sharply in recent years, contributing to increasing levels of food insecurity and worsening health inequalities across Northern Ireland; further notes the recent announcement by the Education Authority regarding the increase to the cost of school meals, which will add further pressure on already stretched household budgets; recognises that affordable access to food, including school meals, is vital in tackling child poverty and reducing health inequalities; believes that departmental and arm’s-length body decisions must align with the objectives of the Executive’s Anti-Poverty Strategy; calls on the Minister of Education to review the Education Authority’s decision, to increase the eligibility threshold for free school meals, and to work with the Minister for Communities to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting low-income families; and further calls on the Minister for Communities to strengthen the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy to include measurable poverty reduction targets and clear actions to address food and fuel poverty.’

Other Amendments Tabled

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
13/11/2025	Leave out all after ‘with regards to’ and insert: ‘the challenges it faces, including a lack of clarity over the delivery of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland; welcomes the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy 2025-2035 published by the Minister for Communities; calls on the Minister for Communities, having regard to the competing budgetary pressures in his Department, including for housing, and the outcome of the forthcoming Autumn Budget, to take steps to finalise the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy; and further calls on the Executive to provide a joined-up response to supporting and equipping those organisations and communities dealing with the increased cost of living challenges.’
13/11/2025	Leave out all after ‘shortcomings of the draft anti-poverty strategy’ and insert: ‘agreed by the Executive; and calls on the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister of Finance to produce a fully funded Anti-Poverty Strategy which clearly sets out what actions will be implemented to support and equip those organisations and communities dealing with the increased cost of living challenges.’

Tabled Date

Amendment Text

13/11/2025

Leave out all after ‘with regards to’ and insert: ‘the challenges it faces, including a lack of clarity over the delivery of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland; welcomes the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy 2025-2035 published by the Minister for Communities; calls on the Minister for Communities, having regard to the competing budgetary pressures in his Department, including for housing, and the outcome of the forthcoming Autumn Budget, to take steps to finalise the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy; and further calls on the Executive to provide a joined-up response to supporting and equipping those organisations and communities dealing with the increased cost of living challenges.’

13/11/2025

Leave out all after ‘shortcomings of the draft anti-poverty strategy’ and insert: ‘agreed by the Executive; and calls on the Minister for Communities to work with the Minister of Finance to produce a fully funded Anti-Poverty Strategy which clearly sets out what actions will be implemented to support and equip those organisations and communities dealing with the increased cost of living challenges.’

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Impact of the Ongoing Increase in the Cost of Living

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