Partner Article

Vast household spending divide characterises regional recovery

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics this week show one of the big divides in UK regional economics - one that has yet to receive a lot of attention.

Household spending stats show great dispartiy in purchasing power between regions between 2010 and 2012. In the North East the weekly figure was more than £73 below the national average; in Yorkshire, nearly £60 below the national average.

The stats are a stark indicator of uneven economic recovery. Healthy household spending levels are surely crucial to strengthening regional economies, and this latest picture begs the question as to whether policy should target this problem.

Difference between the total weekly household spending in English regions and UK countries, and UK average weekly household spending in 2010–12

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .