Stormont extends welfare mitigation payments

More than 38,000 people received the payments in the 2023/24 financial year.

The projected funding requirement for the mitigations package for 2025/26 is £47.3m.

Lyons said the extension of the mitigation payments will reassure people who get them who may have been concerned about their future financial stability.

“I recognise the importance of tackling poverty through the social security system and was determined to secure this extension to remove any ‘cliff edge’ resulting from the schemes’ closure,” he said.

“Extending these mitigation schemes will have a positive impact for people across Northern Ireland and will help to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”