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29/05/2024
NI's Lowest Earning Households Worst Affected By Cost-Of-Living Crisis
Northern Ireland's lowest earning households have been the worst affected during the cost of living crisis, according to the latest NI Household Expenditure Tracker from the Consumer Council.
The tracker which is published on a quarterly basis, tracks changes to income and expenditure for households in Northern Ireland across four income groups, referred to as 'quartiles'.
According to the report, the households in Quartile 1 have seen their discretionary income fall by over 40% since the first quarter of 2021, leaving them with only £36.65 per week on average after paying for essentials.
In Q4 2023 (October to December), these households:
• spent 52% of their total basic spending on food, rent, energy, and transport
• have 8% less income before tax than the UK average
• saw their discretionary income rise 17.1% over the last quarter from £31.31 to £36.65 per week
• saw a rise of 2.2% in income after tax
The ability of households in Northern Ireland to absorb unexpected bills or price rises differs sharply depending on household income. NI's highest earning households have on average almost 18 times more discretionary income left to spend every week compared to the lowest earning households.
Anne-Marie Murphy, our Director of Strategy & Emerging Markets said: "The lowest earning 50% have seen the least recovery in terms of cash remaining after paying for basics.
"We know that 90% of consumers in Northern Ireland are concerned about the rising cost of basics which refers to everyday living essentials such as housing, energy, food, transport and telephone/mobile and broadband costs.
"Food also continues to form a disproportionate share of the lowest earning households' spending, compared to higher earning households. Food is 22% of their weekly essential spending. For the highest earning households, it is 15%.
"This expanded Household Expenditure Tracker considers all Northern Ireland households and also shows that half of those households have on average less than £90 per week after all essential bills are paid. Given the volatile prices of food, fuel and electricity over the last 2 years, it is worrying how little money many families have to cover unexpected bills or price rises."
To help consumers, we offers a variety of support and advice here including interactive tools to compare energy costs and advice on how to reduce your bills and make your money go further.
The tracker which is published on a quarterly basis, tracks changes to income and expenditure for households in Northern Ireland across four income groups, referred to as 'quartiles'.
According to the report, the households in Quartile 1 have seen their discretionary income fall by over 40% since the first quarter of 2021, leaving them with only £36.65 per week on average after paying for essentials.
In Q4 2023 (October to December), these households:
• spent 52% of their total basic spending on food, rent, energy, and transport
• have 8% less income before tax than the UK average
• saw their discretionary income rise 17.1% over the last quarter from £31.31 to £36.65 per week
• saw a rise of 2.2% in income after tax
Anne-Marie Murphy, our Director of Strategy & Emerging Markets said: "The lowest earning 50% have seen the least recovery in terms of cash remaining after paying for basics.
"We know that 90% of consumers in Northern Ireland are concerned about the rising cost of basics which refers to everyday living essentials such as housing, energy, food, transport and telephone/mobile and broadband costs.
"Food also continues to form a disproportionate share of the lowest earning households' spending, compared to higher earning households. Food is 22% of their weekly essential spending. For the highest earning households, it is 15%.
"This expanded Household Expenditure Tracker considers all Northern Ireland households and also shows that half of those households have on average less than £90 per week after all essential bills are paid. Given the volatile prices of food, fuel and electricity over the last 2 years, it is worrying how little money many families have to cover unexpected bills or price rises."
To help consumers, we offers a variety of support and advice here including interactive tools to compare energy costs and advice on how to reduce your bills and make your money go further.
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12 September 2023
NI Households Experience Further 29.5% Fall In Disposable Income
The discretionary income of Northern Ireland's lowest earning households have fallen a further 29.5% over the last year, from £28.12 to £19.83 per week, according to the latest figures from the Consumer Council.
NI Households Experience Further 29.5% Fall In Disposable Income
The discretionary income of Northern Ireland's lowest earning households have fallen a further 29.5% over the last year, from £28.12 to £19.83 per week, according to the latest figures from the Consumer Council.
04 July 2024
Voting Underway Across Northern Ireland
Poll are open across Northern Ireland as part of the UK-wide General Election. A total of 136 candidates are competing across 18 constituencies. 127 of the candidates represent 11 total political parties, with the other 9 standing as independents. Eligible voters can cast their vote until 10pm tonight.
Voting Underway Across Northern Ireland
Poll are open across Northern Ireland as part of the UK-wide General Election. A total of 136 candidates are competing across 18 constituencies. 127 of the candidates represent 11 total political parties, with the other 9 standing as independents. Eligible voters can cast their vote until 10pm tonight.
11 April 2023
NI's Lowest Earning Households Left With Less Than £19 Per Week
Northern Ireland's lowest earning households now have less than £19 per week to spend after their bills and living expenses. According to the latest Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker the lowest earning households have seen their discretionary income fall by almost half (47.2%) over the last year – from £35.25 to £18.63.
NI's Lowest Earning Households Left With Less Than £19 Per Week
Northern Ireland's lowest earning households now have less than £19 per week to spend after their bills and living expenses. According to the latest Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker the lowest earning households have seen their discretionary income fall by almost half (47.2%) over the last year – from £35.25 to £18.63.
13 February 2023
NI Households Left With Less Than £20 Per Week
Northern Ireland's lowest earning households have less than £20 per week left after paying their bills and living expenses, as discretionary income falls by 46.7% compared to last year (from £37.11 to £19.78).
NI Households Left With Less Than £20 Per Week
Northern Ireland's lowest earning households have less than £20 per week left after paying their bills and living expenses, as discretionary income falls by 46.7% compared to last year (from £37.11 to £19.78).
04 November 2005
Report finds women still earning less than men
Women in Northern Ireland continue to receive less income than men, although the difference is narrowing, a new report has claimed.
Report finds women still earning less than men
Women in Northern Ireland continue to receive less income than men, although the difference is narrowing, a new report has claimed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A largely dry but cloudy start with the odd shower about. Bright spells and more widespread showers will then develop by afternoon, some of these showers could be heavy and thundery. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:Showers dying out through the evening to leave a bright end to the day. A dry night with clear spells and becoming rather chilly in rural areas. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
