Societal division in North costs up to £1.5bn-a-year

Sectarianism and segregation in the North could be costing taxpayers £1.5bn-a-year or €2.2bn, according to a new report commissioned by the Office of the First and Deputy Minister.

The report says the cost arises from the duplication of services like health centres, school buses and housing for nationalists and unionists, as well as policing a divided society.