NI poverty levels 'on increase'

Poverty levels are increasing, community groups have warned

Poverty levels in Northern Ireland are increasing, voluntary and community groups have warned.

The Anti-Poverty Network said welfare cuts could only worsen an already severe situation.

Frances Dowds from the network said even those people with jobs were falling into the poverty trap.

"One of the good policies that the government has introduced is working tax credits... but what you get with one hand you lose with the other."

Ms Dowds said that while people gained tax credits, they could then lose access to free prescriptions and to free school dinners for their children.

"Sometimes it just does not stack up and that is increasing for a lot of people in Northern Ireland," she said.