A study has found that low-income families in Northern Ireland receive higher benefit payments than equivalent households in England.

A typical out-of-work couple with four children would receive £32,000 a year in Belfast compared with £22,000 in York.

Northern Ireland households are protected from the benefit cap and the bedroom tax, measures that reduce payments for similar families in England.

Social housing tenants in Northern Ireland receive automatic protection from the bedroom tax, saving an average of £684 a year.

The study, compiled by academics from three universities along with the Resolution Foundation and the Child Poverty Action Group, examined differences created by devolved welfare policies.

The additional spending from devolved policies across the UK totalled about £1 billion in 2023-24.

A panel of benefit recipients said the differences can feel unfair when people in one area receive extra support that others cannot access.