Over half of NI households rely on credit cards and overdrafts to cover childcare during school holiday expenses. The budget allocation for childcare is only 6 per cent of the £400m required.
People on the lowest incomes – both in and out of work – have endured a decade of austerity; with freezes and cuts to social security benefits and in-work support; hollowing out support, undermining resilience and ability to cope with adversity.
Advice NI advice services continue to support clients who are deeply concerned about the ongoing interest rate rises and who are struggling to keep up mortgage and other financial repayments.
