Workers Party representative Fiona McCarthy has said poverty is growing and our politicians who hold the power and the responsibility to deliver an anti-poverty strategy have failed miserably.

"Sadly, it is those in poverty the misery is felt by, those who are suffering the consequences of the political indifference to their plight," said Ms McCarthy.

"The Workers Party submitted a detailed response to the programme for government in November last year. We were highly critical of the absence of any definitive action on how to deliver on their legal obligation to provide an anti-poverty strategy. The party was also critical of the photo call a few short months ago when a smiling trio of senior ministers introduced an anti-poverty strategy without out any documentation or details.

"Weeks later when they released the plan charities, political parties, and even the first minister, who was smiling and happy at the photo opportunity, joined the chorus of outrage.

"It is time our politicians, who were elected to deliver change for our citizens, stopped fiddling while Rome is burning, and started to come up with a comprehensive plan for dealing with poverty, unemployment, low pay, health inequalities, and the lack of good quality public housing. But we shouldn't expect much from the current Executive parties.

"All of these issues must be tackled in a joined up political process that improves the life chances and wellbeing of the working class people of Northern Ireland.