A recent study by the research organization Centre for Cities has unveiled the UK locations where disposable income has seen the most significant growth. Living standards in 11 top-performing areas surged by 5.2% since 2013, surpassing the national increase of 2.4%.
Brighton emerged as the top performer with an 8.1% rise in disposable income, trailed by Worthing at 7.8% and London at 5.8%. These cities and towns collectively experienced a 27% economic growth from 2013 to 2023, surpassing the national average of 18.4%, leading to a 5.2% rise in real-terms disposable income.
Researchers estimate that if all 63 major UK cities and towns matched the growth rates of the top performers since 2013, residents could have gained an extra £3,200 on average in disposable income during that period. For instance, residents of Cambridge, where disposable incomes dropped by 3% in real terms since 2013, could have seen a £10,900 increase over the decade if they had matched the top-performing locales.
In contrast, residents of Wigan experienced a 1.6% decline in real-terms disposable incomes since 2013, potentially missing out on an additional £7,200 if they had matched the top performers.
Andrew Carter, the CEO of Centre for Cities, emphasized the importance of economic growth in boosting household incomes over temporary cost-of-living measures. He highlighted how growth has positively impacted places like Warrington and Barnsley, attributing it to policy decisions regarding skills, transportation, housing, and business support.
Carter underscored the significance of Government initiatives such as planning reforms, devolution plans, and the Industrial Strategy in fostering growth in cities and improving living standards continually. He emphasized the need for cities to create more jobs in emerging sectors like life sciences, digital, and AI to drive economic benefits for urban areas and enhance local growth prospects.
Looking ahead, Carter echoed the Prime Minister’s call for politics to play a more supportive role in 2026, urging for increased job opportunities, higher wages, and stronger growth across various regions in the country.
