The average UK household had £191 a week of discretionary income last month – up £18 a week on the same month last year, according to the latest Asda Income Tracker.
Continued falling prices of food and drink – down 2.4% – and fuel – down 12.9% – contributed to the improvement in households’ relative wealth.
Asda said this augured well for the Rugby World Cup, giving more reason for consumers to stock up on treats for a night in front of the television.
Chief executive Andy Clarke said the economy continued to go from strength to strength, and stability in the wider economy remained the key driver behind an increase in disposable income across the UK.
“Since the economic collapse, there has been a shift in behaviour around spending versus saving and even though we’ve seen families’ spending power rise, households are choosing to save more money for a rainy day,” he explained.
Events such as this year’s Rugby World Cup provided economies with a shot in the arm, and supporters visiting from across the world would be pleased to see a fall in the rate of inflation across travel, hotel, sports equipment and restaurants, Clarke added.
Sam Alderson, economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said: “In the wake of the global headwinds emanating from the slowdown in the Chinese economy, further evidence of strong growth in family spending power is welcome news for the UK economy.
“Even though Christmas is fast approaching, with wages rising at rates well above inflation, households are in a great position to enjoy the autumn months and events such as the Rugby World Cup.”
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