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11/04/2023
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.
Published on a quarterly basis, the report tracks the changes to income and expenditure for the lowest earning households in Northern Ireland.
The Household Expenditure Tracker reveals that in Q4 2022 (October, November and December), Northern Ireland's lowest earning households:
• saw their weekly income after tax rise by only £3 (1.3%);
• experienced weekly spending on basic goods increase by £5.18 (2.4%);
• spent 54% of their total basic spending on rent, energy, food and transport; and
• saw their discretionary income fall for the 7th consecutive quarter since January 2021 leaving these households with less than £19 per week to live on (£18.63).
Anne-Marie Murphy, Director of Strategy & Emerging Markets at the Consumer Council, said: "Between October to December 2022, the lowest earning households in Northern Ireland continued to be disproportionately impacted by changes in inflation, interest rates and the cost of living.
"With each publication of our NI Household Expenditure Tracker, we continue to see a decline in discretionary income for Northern Ireland's lowest earning households. What they have left to spend has dropped by another 10% this quarter at a time when essentials like food were increasing. These hardest hit households were the only income group to see a drop in their spending power.
"For those who are struggling to pay their bills, we have a variety of help, support and advice to help consumers understand ways to save money, shop around, and what options are available."
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.
Published on a quarterly basis, the report tracks the changes to income and expenditure for the lowest earning households in Northern Ireland.
The Household Expenditure Tracker reveals that in Q4 2022 (October, November and December), Northern Ireland's lowest earning households:
• saw their weekly income after tax rise by only £3 (1.3%);
• experienced weekly spending on basic goods increase by £5.18 (2.4%);
• spent 54% of their total basic spending on rent, energy, food and transport; and
• saw their discretionary income fall for the 7th consecutive quarter since January 2021 leaving these households with less than £19 per week to live on (£18.63).
Anne-Marie Murphy, Director of Strategy & Emerging Markets at the Consumer Council, said: "Between October to December 2022, the lowest earning households in Northern Ireland continued to be disproportionately impacted by changes in inflation, interest rates and the cost of living.
"With each publication of our NI Household Expenditure Tracker, we continue to see a decline in discretionary income for Northern Ireland's lowest earning households. What they have left to spend has dropped by another 10% this quarter at a time when essentials like food were increasing. These hardest hit households were the only income group to see a drop in their spending power.
"For those who are struggling to pay their bills, we have a variety of help, support and advice to help consumers understand ways to save money, shop around, and what options are available."
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Lowest Earning Households Left With Under £42 Per Week
Northern Ireland's lowest earning households have seen their discretionary income fall by over 35% since the first quarter of 2021, leaving them with less than £42 per week on average after paying for essentials.
29 May 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.
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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.
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NI Households Left With Less Than £32 Per Week After Essentials
Discretionary income has fallen by over half since 2021 for Northern Ireland's lowest earning households, leaving them with only £31.31 per week on average, according to the Consumer Council.
NI Households Left With Less Than £32 Per Week After Essentials
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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).
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
