disadvantage

Many come from disadvantaged countries in the Middle East, Africa and South and East Asia.

Young people from a low-income, disadvantaged background aren't doomed to failure, he says, "but the hill to climb is so much harder".

He and his wife, Connie, have given away billions through their Ballmer Group to improve the economic mobility of children and families in disadvantaged communities.

They said that was particularly true of "those from disadvantaged backgrounds".

The defence, he added, was disadvantaged by being "devoid of the opportunity to test and challenge" the statements.