Pensioners in the North are poised to become a thorn in the side of government as they increasingly find their voice, it was claimed today.

The British government was today accused of wasting £50m (€73.3m) on management consultants and hospitality at a time when the health service in the North is under severe financial pressure.

People in border areas could be losing out on vital social services because of a lack of North- South co-operation, according to a study published today.