The poorest members of society in Northern Ireland, both Catholic and Protestant, are worse off than they were a decade ago, it has been claimed.
The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) said British government policies were ignoring serious community differentials and, on occasion, exacerbating problems of disadvantage and communal division.
Urgent action is needed, according to the CAJ, a human- rights lobby group in the North.
Tim Cunningham, the CAJ's equality officer, said: "Despite the government rhetoric to the contrary, the reality is that the poorest members of our society, both Catholic and Protestant, are relatively worse off than they were 10 years ago.
"Northern Ireland has the highest economic inactivity rate in the UK, so the idea that Northern Ireland as a whole is benefiting from increased prosperity and economic growth is nonsense."
- (PA)