Personal incomes

Summary 

Please note that district estimates are based on small sample sizes and as such have wider margins of error. This can also result in volatility in the data from year to year. The district estimates should therefore be interpreted with considerable caution. It is advised that the results should be viewed over a longer time series to ascertain trends and to assist in the identification of any anomalies and volatility in the data. The estimates should therefore be taken as a guide, rather than definitive results.

Total personal incomes estimates

In 2014/15, the median total personal incomes estimate for the Lancashire-12 area (£20,800) was lower than the UK figure (£22,400) in statistical terms, and represented 92.9% of the UK figure.

None of the Lancashire-14 authority areas had median total personal income estimates that were statistically higher the UK figure of £22,400 in 2014/15.

Although Ribble Valley (£23,300) had a central median total personal income estimate that was above the UK figure, owing to the overlapping confidence intervals, the Ribble Valley estimate was not greater than the UK estimate of £22,400 in statistical terms.

The Ribble Valley estimate was however statistically greater than the Lancashire-12 figure (£20,800), and the estimates for Blackpool (£17,500), Pendle (19,000), Blackburn with Darwen (£19,300) and Hyndburn (£19,900).

Figure 1:  Median total personal incomes estimates (£s), 2014/15

Source: HM Revenue and Customs  Local authority and North West data is sourced from HMRC table 3.14. UK figures from table 3.13.

The median total income estimate for Chorley (£22,200) is statistically greater than the estimates for Blackpool (£17,500), Pendle (19,000) and Blackburn with Darwen (£19,300). Owing to the overlapping confidence intervals, the Chorley figure cannot be said to be higher or lower than the estimates for the North West (£21,100) or the UK (£22,400) in statistical terms.

The median total income estimates for Fylde (21,700), West Lancashire (£21,200) and Rossendale (£20,900) are statistically higher than the estimate for Blackpool (£17,500). Owing to the overlapping confidence intervals, the figures for Fylde, West Lancashire and Rossendale cannot be said to be lower or higher than the estimates for the North West (£21,100) or the UK (£22,400) in statistical terms.

The estimates for the median total personal incomes for the nine authority areas of Wyre (£20,800), South Ribble (£20,500), Lancaster (£20,500), Burnley (£20,500), Preston (£20,200), Hyndburn (£19,900), Blackburn with Darwen (£19,300), Pendle (£19,000) and Blackpool (£17,500) are all statistically lower than the UK estimate.

With the exception of the estimate for Pendle (£19,000), the median total income figure for Blackpool (£17,500) is significantly lower than the estimates for the remaining 12 Lancashire-14 authority areas in statistical terms, as well as the estimates for the Lancashire-12 area, the North West and the UK.

Blackpool registered the lowest median total income estimate in the UK (ignoring the confidence intervals). At the other extreme, total median personal income estimates at the local authority level across the UK were the highest in the City of London (£61,100), with the second greatest sum recorded for the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea (£38,700) and the third greatest in Westminster (£35,800).

Employment income estimates

The median employment income estimate for the Lancashire 12-area (£19,800) in 2014/15 was lower than the UK estimate (£21,300) in statistical terms. The Lancashire-12 figure was 93.0% of the UK median figure.

None of the Lancashire-14 authority areas had median employment income estimates that were statistically higher the UK figure (£21,300) in 2014/15.

The figure for Blackpool (£17,100) was the fourth equal lowest median employment income estimate in the UK (ignoring the confidence intervals), together with Boston in Lincolnshire in the East Midlands.

The Blackpool median employment income estimate (£17,100) was lower than the UK (£21,300), North West (£20,100) and Lancashire-12 (£19,800) estimates in statistical terms. The Blackpool figure was also statistically lower than the median employment income estimates for eight Lancashire-14 authority areas.

In addition to Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen (£18,600), Pendle (£18,700), Lancaster (£19,000), Preston (£19,500), South Ribble (£19,800) and Hyndburn (£19,900) had median employment income estimates that were lower than UK figure (£21,300) in statistical terms. The Blackburn with Darwen estimate (£18,600) was also statistically lower than the North West estimate (£20,100).

Self-employment income estimates

In comparison to the median estimates for employment income, the self-employment figures are notably lower.

The median self-employment income estimates for 2014/15 show that the Lancashire-12 figure (£11,600) was lower than the UK median (£12,600) in statistical terms. The Lancashire-12 estimate was 92.1% of the UK figure.

None of the Lancashire-14 authority areas had median self-employment income estimates that were statistically higher the UK figure of £12,600.

Within the Lancashire-14 area, only South Ribble (£10,400) and Blackpool (£10,800) had median self-employment income estimates that could be said to be statistically lower the UK figure (£12,600).

The volatility of the personal income statistics are demonstrated by the West Lancashire self-employment estimates, which in 2013/14, at £12,200, were the highest in the Lancashire-14 area, but at £9,570 in 2014/15, were the lowest in the area (ignoring the confidence intervals).

Pension income estimates

The pension income estimates for 2014/15 show that the median figure for the Lancashire 12-area (£13,800) was the same as the UK median (£13,800). The confidence intervals for the Lancashire-12 area are, however, wider.

None of the Lancashire-14 authority areas had median pension income estimates that were statistically higher the UK figure of £13,800.

Although eight of the Lancashire-14 areas had central median pension income estimates that were above the UK figure, ranging from £13,900 in South Ribble, to £15,500 in Fylde, none of these were higher the UK, Lancashire-12, or North West figures in statistical terms. This was a result of their wide confidence intervals.

Blackpool (£12,500) had the lowest median pension income estimate in the Lancashire-14 area, which was the joint 13th lowest in the UK (ignoring the confidence intervals), together with nine other authorities. Blackpool's estimate was statistically lower than the North West (£13,600), UK (£13,800) and Ribble Valley (14,800) estimates.

Page updated July 2017