Overview
- The Office for National Statistics reports for the year to 2023 that households at the top have about £86,800 more to spend after tax and benefits than those at the bottom, a measure of disposable income.
- The richest–poorest gap has expanded from roughly £50,300 in 2020 to about £86,800 in 2023, an increase of around 73%.
- Leamouth in Tower Hamlets recorded the highest average disposable income at about £107,600, while Sparkhill North in Birmingham was lowest at just under £20,800, with the six lowest areas all in Birmingham.
- Wealth is concentrated geographically, with nearly 45% of London neighbourhoods in the national top decile, whereas large shares of the North West and West Midlands fall in the bottom decile and the North East has none in the top decile.
- County snapshots underscore local divides: Cambridgeshire’s gap is £40,700 (Central & West Cambridge vs Millfield & Bourges Boulevard), Nottinghamshire’s is about £29,200 (Edwalton vs Lenton & Dunkirk), and Surrey’s is £25,700 (Pewley Down & The Mount vs Sheerwater).