What the study shows
A new analysis from the Centre for Cities reveals a striking shift in living standards across the UK. In eleven towns and cities, disposable income per person has risen at roughly twice the pace of the national average over the last decade. The cities named include Warrington, Barnsley and Wakefield, among others, marking a notable divergence in household finances within the country.
Disposable income, the money households have after taxes and essential expenditures, is a key indicator of what families can spend on housing, food, transport, and leisure. The Centre for Cities study shows that while some regions have stagnated, these towns have benefited from a mix of local economic strength, rising wages, and targeted regional policy efforts. The growth signals are not uniform across the country, but the data points to pockets of resilience and opportunity that could influence local planning and investment in the years ahead.
Which towns are leading the rise?
Warrington stands out in the data as a hub with strong service and logistics sectors, buoyed by its strategic location between major northern cities and growing commercial activity. Barnsley benefits from a diversified economy that blends manufacturing heritage with new tech and business services, helping residents see real increases in spending power. Wakefield’s improvement reflects a combination of commercial growth, commuter links, and investments in town centre vitality. While these towns are diverse in size and character, they share a trajectory of improved disposable income that distinguishes them from many peers in the same region.
What’s driving the change?
Several factors appear to be converging to support faster growth in disposable income in these towns. First, wage growth in some sectors has outpaced national averages, particularly in occupations linked to professional services, logistics, and digital industries. Second, local employers have benefited from improved transport links and infrastructure, which reduce costs and raise productivity. Third, the housing market and local cost of living can influence how far income translates into real spending power; in some towns, relative affordability has helped households retain more of their earnings.
Policy plays a nuanced role as well. Local authorities have experimented with business incentives, skills training, and town-centre revitalisation projects that encourage employment and entrepreneurship. National programs aimed at levelling up and regional development may have amplified these effects in towns with existing assets such as universities, research hubs, or trade links. The net result, according to the report, is a measurable improvement in disposable income that stands apart from wider UK trends.
Implications for residents and policymakers
Higher disposable income can support stronger consumer demand, a more vibrant high street, and better living standards. For residents, the trend translates into more capacity to save, invest in housing, and participate in local services and culture. For policymakers, the findings highlight the importance of continuing to tailor growth strategies to local conditions. Investments in transportation, digital infrastructure, and skills training appear particularly relevant to sustaining momentum in these towns.
However, the picture is imperfect. The gains are not universal across all ages or income groups within the towns, and national economic headwinds—such as inflation, interest rates, and global market shifts—can still bite into real purchasing power. The Centre for Cities report calls for ongoing scrutiny of regional dynamics to ensure that rising disposable income translates into broad-based improvements in wellbeing.
Looking ahead
As the UK contends with a changing economic landscape, the experiences of Warrington, Barnsley, Wakefield, and their peers may offer valuable insights into how local economies can adapt to shifting demand and labour patterns. Urban planners, business leaders, and residents alike will be watching whether these gains hold steady, deepen, or spread to other towns as policies and market conditions evolve.
