Suchergebnisse

This article argues that the UK government has failed in its duty to guarantee 'an adequate income and resources to live in human dignity' (EC, 2002, p 27) for all. The evidence provided is qualitative, from a study of mothers and young people in the most disadvantaged parts of Northern Ireland. Mothers, particularly those on benefits, found it very difficult to provide food and warmth. They also indicated that income adequacy had an impact on their ability to ensure the best education for their children.

Northern Ireland is a deeply unequal society emerging from war. The anticipated 'peace dividend' has not materialized for people living in poverty who were also most affected by the conflict. The devolved administration in Northern Ireland 2000–2 was constrained in its response to social exclusion by Treasury rules. This paper argues that attempts under devolution to develop new public services and more publicly oriented Public–Private Partnerships have been reversed by Direct Rule Ministers.

The 1998 Belfast Agreement seemed to promise women in Northern Ireland equality. This article examines the extent to which that promise has been met by exploring abortion rights in the region. It situates abortion within a citizens' rights framework. The article explores the interconnectedness of civil, political and social rights and the implications of an inability to vindicate any aspect of those rights.

This paper examines social policy developments in Northern Ireland since the May 2011 election. In many areas of social policy Northern Ireland lags behind other regions of the UK, the results of decades of neglect of economic and social policy, and years of conflict. The mandatory coalition established under devolution presents particular challenges for policy making but there had been optimism that devolved structures would be more responsive to Northern Ireland's particular circumstances. However, this paper argues that the lack of progress or vision evident in the previous period of government shows no sign of improving during the current mandate. It provides examples to illustrate problems caused by the failure to link economic and social policy, a silo mentality and the dominance of a neo-liberal agenda.