Tough times for families continue as finances get even tighter
Family spending declines for sixth month in a row
According to the latest Asda Income Tracker, the average UK family was £7 a week worse off in June 2010 compared to a year earlier. This represents the biggest fall in disposable income available to families since the beginning of the year. As a result, the average UK household had £171 a week of discretionary income in May 2010, down from £178 this time last year.
This picture is supported by a nationwide poll conducted by Asda, where almost 40pc of people are prepared to take a pay cut to avoid unemployment and 1 in 8 concerned about losing their jobs. Only 34pc of people currently feel secure in their existing role. Indeed, despite this month’s positive data unemployment is expected to edge up over the medium term in the face of public sector job shedding.
As well as insecurities around jobs the cost of living has continued to rise at an elevated pace, with inflation levels, at 3.2 per cent in June, above the limit of the Bank of England’s target for the sixth month in succession. While regular pay had increased by 1.8 per cent in the three months to May year on year – significantly below pre-recession levels.
The main factors putting downward pressure on family spending power in June included the transport category which saw the largest year on year increase, up 8.9 per cent in June. Utility bills also edged up relative to last year for the third month in succession, rising 0.5 per cent in June, after a 0.6 per cent increase in May. Mortgage interest repayments in June were up 4.6 per cent annually, as in May.
The only broad area of spending on the consumer price index which has given a boost to households discretionary income when compared to a year ago was the cost of clothing and footwear which was 1.4 per cent lower in June than a year ago. This is far below long run average levels, as clothing and footwear has decreased on average by 4.6 per cent annually over the June 1993 to June 2010 period.
Charles Davis, the economist at Cebr who compiles the report for Asda, said: “The Asda Income Tracker reveals that discretionary income has fallen by 4.2 per cent in June year-on-year. Despite reductions in official unemployment figures and an easing of inflation, annual growth in earnings remains weak while the cost of many essentials continue to rise.
“The bottom line is that real family spending power has continued to fall and the outlook continues to look tough for households.”
Andy Clarke, Asda CEO, said: “Our customers are telling us that not only do they have less money, but many are worried about their job security, and can’t see their finances improving for some time.”
Other findings:
• 4.2pc year on year decrease in discretionary income of average UK household
• £7 a week decline in family spending compared with the same month the previous year
• June was the sixth consecutive month of decline in the Asda income tracker
• 1 in 8 are worried about losing their jobs in the next 6 months
• Almost 40pc are prepared to take a pay cut or reduced hours to keep their job
• 43pc expect their finances to get worse in the next 6-12 months
