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.