AQW 49634/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities whether he will publish a Northern Ireland specific assessment of the adequacy of disability benefits in response to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report entitled, Disability and poverty in Northern Ireland.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 25 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 25 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 10 July 2026
- Answered
- 2 July 20267 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Rates of Social Security Benefits are set by the Department for Work and Pensions in Great Britain and are maintained in Northern Ireland under parity arrangements.
The UK Government launched the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment in October 2025. The review is expected to conclude in Autumn 2026, and no changes to this disability benefit are anticipated before that review is completed.
My department continues to work on developing a robust, sustainable and effective Executive Disability Strategy. This will help address the barriers and inequalities that impact upon the lives of Deaf and disabled people, including those at economic disadvantage as referenced in the Report.