THE typical household income has risen by £4,000 in the last five years but the North-South pay divide continues to widen, figures indicated today. BACS's latest Consumer Payments Survey found that in 2006 the average income of a British household stood at £24,350. But broken down, the statistics revealed large variations from region to region. People living in the South East are likely to be on the largest income, with an average of £28,620 per household. This compares with atypical total income of £19,130 for households in the North East. This "pay gap" of almost £9,500, compares to a difference of £3,610 between the highest and lowest regions as recorded in 2001. The South also had the highest proportion of top earners, with 45% of households with an income of more than £50,000 living in London or the South East, compared with just 4% who live in the North East. Nationally, 17% of households survive on an income of less than £10,000, the survey revealed, but the figure is down from the 24% recorded in 2001. Home ownership also differs across the regions, the report found. More than 40% of people in the North West own their house outright compared with just 25% in Scotland and the East of England. But the overall number of people claiming their bit of British soil has increased, BACS found. Nationally, athird of all people own homes outright, an increase of 32% on figures for 2001. The Consumer Payments Survey is based on the responses of 7,000 people interviewed across the country. It provides asnapshot of consumer attitude to personal finances, including spending and payment patterns. Further findings from the study revealed that almost athird of British adults stated that they would rather live for today than plan for the future. And 29% of respondents admitted to treating themselves when they know they cannot afford to, with women more likely to indulge than men. The survey also uncovered ahigh number of people adopting acavalier approach to their personal finances. Almost aquarter said they did not worry about their money situation as "things tend to work out in the end". | 
