Description:

This indicator measures the median percentage of net income spent on housing, fuel and food.

Source of Data:

This data is sourced from the Living Costs and Foods Survey. This is produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Definitions:

Housing: Gross rent, mortgage interest payments, water charges, structural insurance, and other regular housing payments including service charge for rent.

Fuel: Electricity, gas and other fuels (coal and coke, oil for central heating, paraffin, wood, peat etc).

Food: Food and non-alcoholic drinks purchased for consumption at home.

Net income: Gross household income less: statutory deductions for income tax and National Insurance contributions; council tax payments, pension/superannuation contributions and maintenance allowance payments.

Criteria for Change:

• Performance is improving if there is a decrease of at least 1 percentage point between the most recent two consecutive three-year rolling averages.
• Performance is worsening if there is an increase of at least 1 percentage point between the most recent two consecutive three-year rolling averages.
• Otherwise, performance is maintaining.

Notes:

Note that the most recent estimate precedes the recent marked increases in living costs. The current cost of living crisis is therefore not yet reflected in this data. However, the Scottish Government has worked on a more recent analytical report on the current Cost of Living crisis which can be accessed through the link below:

The Cost of Living Crisis in Scotland: analytical report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)