Obama wants action on economic mobility

US President Barack Obama has called for "a year of action" to address economic inequality and expand opportunity for Americans.

In his annual State of the Union message to Congress, Obama promised action to reverse the tides of deepening inequality, even if he has to act on his own without Congressional action.

"America does not stand still - and neither will I," Obama declared on Tuesday, referring to the Republican opposition in Congress that has blocked many of his proposals over the past year including key immigration reform.

In recent months Obama has sought to refocus attention on efforts to address economic inequality, including a renewed push for Congress to hike the federal minimum wage and renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.