A new study from the Office of National Statistics has found that the gap between those with high and low disposable incomes is becoming wider.
The latest official figures, for 2003, show that the gross disposable household income (GDHI) is particularly diverse throughout the country, with London again being confirmed as having the highest. The figures show that those living in the capital had an average disposable income of £15,235 per year, while those in the northeast had the lowest, at £10,787.
In 1995, the lowest disposable income per head was £7443 in South Yorkshire, and the highest was in inner London at £11,028, which is a difference of just over £3500.
In 2003, the lowest a head was in Northern Ireland at £10,809 compared with the highest in inner London at £16,431 - a difference of £5622.
Our view
This is an expected, yet worrying result, to counter balance this though the basic cost of living is much higher so whilst disposable may be greater, the cost to go and have that Chinese or Pizza or visit to the Theatre is also more expensive in the South.