New Office for National Statistics data reveals stark regional disparities in disposable household incomes across the UK in 2023, with London’s wealth surge highlighting deepening economic divides.
Newly released data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals stark regional disparities in disposable household incomes across the UK in 2023. Residents of Westminster and the City of London enjoyed the highest gross disposable household income (GDHI) per head at £79,555 — a figure more than three times the UK average of £24,836 and nearly five times the £16,067 disposable income recorded for residents in Leicester. This metric, which measures the money households have available to spend or save after taxes and benefits, highlights profound economic divides between regions.
The ONS data underscores a clear geographic pattern: the top 10 areas with the highest GDHI per head were concentrated in London and the South East, while the lowest 10 were all in the Midlands and Northern England. Within London itself, GDHI ranged significantly, with Westminster and the City of London vastly outstripping other boroughs such as Barking & Dagenham and Havering, where disposable income was around £24,410—less than one-third that of the capital’s wealthiest districts. By contrast, Wales showed relatively little variation, with Monmouthshire and Newport at the higher end (£21,733) and Neath Port Talbot at the lower (£18,827).
Total GDHI across the UK in 2023 approached £1.7 trillion, with England accounting for 86.5 percent of this sum. When adjusted for population, only England had a GDHI per head above the national average. Among UK countries, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland contributed smaller shares and displayed lower average incomes. Regionally, London posted the highest GDHI per head at £35,361, while the North East ranked lowest at £19,977 per head.
The rise in disposable incomes was notable, with a 9.5 percent increase in total GDHI between 2022 and 2023, driven mainly by England’s growth of 9.6 percent. London boroughs like Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham saw the most significant rises in absolute GDHI, reporting increases of 12.9 percent between 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, some areas experienced more modest growth; for example, the Isle of Anglesey and Tower Hamlets posted rises of 6.1 and 6.6 percent, respectively.
These latest figures continue a longer-term trend of widening regional income inequality. Historical ONS data shows that London's dominance in GDHI per head has been consistent over recent years, with Westminster regularly topping national charts by more than triple the UK average, while cities such as Leicester have remained at the lower end. Between 2021 and 2022, London's GDHI was recorded at £32,330 per head compared with just £18,388 in the North East, reflecting enduring economic imbalances. The growth rate of GDHI in England has consistently outpaced other UK countries in recent years, contributing further to the economic divergence seen across the country.
These disparities have significant implications for regional economic policies and social equity debates. The concentration of wealth in London and parts of the South East contrasts starkly with persistent lower income levels in many northern and midlands regions. Efforts to address these imbalances are complicated by the complex factors underpinning regional economies, including differences in employment sectors, housing costs, and public investment.
The development of improved regional household expenditure measures by the ONS, incorporating new data sources like card payments, aims to provide even deeper insights into how disposable income translates into spending and saving patterns across the UK. This enhanced understanding will be crucial for policymakers seeking to tailor economic interventions that can foster more balanced growth and reduce entrenched disparities.
Overall, while the UK’s aggregate gross disposable household income continues to rise, benefiting many, the geographical unevenness in economic prosperity remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges. The gap between areas like Westminster and Leicester illustrates a continuing divide that shapes everyday lives and opportunities for millions of people.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on gross disposable household income (GDHI) per head for 2023. The ONS released GDHI estimates for 2022 on 4 September 2024, with the next release scheduled for 30 September 2025. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/regionalaccounts/grossdisposablehouseholdincome?utm_source=openai)) Therefore, the 2023 data mentioned in the narrative is not yet available, indicating that the narrative may be based on projections or estimates. Additionally, the narrative includes a reference map with links to the ONS data, suggesting that the content is not entirely original and may have been republished across various platforms. The presence of multiple references to the same data points across different sections of the narrative further indicates recycled content. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative's reliance on unpublished data and its structure suggest a lower freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative does not contain any direct quotes. The absence of direct quotations suggests that the content may be original or exclusive. However, the lack of direct quotes also makes it challenging to verify the originality of the content. The use of indirect references and paraphrased information indicates that the content may be based on existing sources. The absence of direct quotes and the reliance on paraphrased information suggest a moderate originality score.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the presence of multiple references to the same data points across different sections of the narrative suggests that the content may have been republished across various platforms, potentially affecting its originality. The reliance on unpublished data and the structure of the narrative further suggest that the content may be based on projections or estimates, which could impact its reliability. The use of indirect references and paraphrased information indicates that the content may be based on existing sources, which could affect its reliability. The reliance on unpublished data and the structure of the narrative suggest a moderate reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents data on regional disparities in disposable household incomes across the UK, referencing figures from the ONS. However, the ONS has not yet released GDHI estimates for 2023, with the next release scheduled for 30 September 2025. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/regionalaccounts/grossdisposablehouseholdincome?utm_source=openai)) Therefore, the 2023 data mentioned in the narrative is not yet available, indicating that the narrative may be based on projections or estimates. The reliance on unpublished data and the structure of the narrative suggest that the content may be based on projections or estimates, which could affect its plausibility. The use of indirect references and paraphrased information indicates that the content may be based on existing sources, which could affect its plausibility. The reliance on unpublished data and the structure of the narrative suggest a moderate plausibility score.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents data on regional disparities in disposable household incomes across the UK, referencing figures from the ONS. However, the ONS has not yet released GDHI estimates for 2023, with the next release scheduled for 30 September 2025. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/regionalaccounts/grossdisposablehouseholdincome?utm_source=openai)) Therefore, the 2023 data mentioned in the narrative is not yet available, indicating that the narrative may be based on projections or estimates. The reliance on unpublished data and the structure of the narrative suggest that the content may be based on projections or estimates, which could affect its plausibility. The use of indirect references and paraphrased information indicates that the content may be based on existing sources, which could affect its reliability. The presence of multiple references to the same data points across different sections of the narrative suggests that the content may have been republished across various platforms, potentially affecting its originality. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a 'FAIL' with medium confidence.
