• Earnings or income has increased in line with or above the higher cost of living for 18% of residents in the last 12 months, down slightly from 20% in the previous wave
• Conversely, the proportion of residents whose income has stayed the same has increased from 20% in Wave 6 to 27% in Wave 7, whilst the proportion whose income has reduced has remained the same

This chart shows:
In Wave 7, 5% of respondents said their income increased above the higher cost of living.
In Wave 6, 5% said their income increased above the higher cost of living.
In Wave 7, 13% of respondents said their income increased in line with the higher cost of living.
In Wave 6, 15% said their income increased in line with the higher cost of living.
In Wave 7, 45% of respondents said their income increased but not in line with the higher cost of living.
In Wave 6, 50% said their income increased but not in line with the higher cost of living.
In Wave 7, 27% of respondents said their income stayed the same.
In Wave 6, 20% said their income stayed the same.
In Wave 7, 10% of respondents said their income reduced.
In Wave 6, 10% said their income reduced.

Sex

Males are most likely to have increased their income in line with or above the cost of living (6%-13%).

Females are more likely to have increased, but not in line with the cost of living (43%) or to have stayed the same (28%)

Age

Those aged 25-44 are most likely to have increased their income above or in line with the higher cost of living (8%-14%).

Those aged 25-34 and 45-54 are more likely to have had an increase in income but below the higher cost of living (47%-48%).

Those aged 55 and over are more likely to have had a reduction to their income or earnings (16%-17%).

Household income

The lowest income households are the most likely to have seen a reduction in their income or earnings (35%).