Gap between rich and poor areas is rising post crisis, even while gap between rich and poor households has fallen 24 May 2017 The gap between rich and poor areas is rising, despite the gap between rich and poor households having fallen since the financial crisis. This is according to Resolution Foundation analysis of ONS Regional Gross Household Disposable Income (GHDI) figures published this morning. The Resolution Foundation analysis shows that the ratio between the richest and poorest fifth of local authority areas has increased by 2.8 per cent since 2007 (from 1.27 to 1.30). Over the same period the ratio between richest and poorest fifth of households has fallen by 5 per cent (from 2.56 to 2.44), while inequality on other measures has been broadly flat. Matt Whittaker, Chief Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Today’s figures show that while the gap between rich and poor households has been flat or falling since the financial crisis, inequality across different parts of the country has been rising. “This should remind us all that when it comes to living standards, geography matters. “Strong economic growth is desirable, but insufficient if the living standards boost it delivers is confined to London, the South East and a few other cities. Now, more than ever, we must prioritise strong, shared growth that reaches households in areas throughout Britain.”
