| Indicator | South East (SE) of England | Yorkshire and the Humber (YH) |
|---|---|---|
| Median weekly gross earnings (full-time) | £695 | £580 |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.2% | 4.8% |
| Average house price | £395,000 | £212,000 |
| Housing costs as a % of net household income | 36% | 23% |
| Life expectancy at birth (years) | 81.4 | 78.7 |
While nominal wages remain significantly higher in the South East, high housing and rental costs absorb a major share of disposable income. This high cost of living is accompanied by longer average commute times and congestion. Conversely, regions such as Yorkshire and the Humber benefit from lower living costs and easier access to national parks and open spaces, which residents often cite as major contributors to wellbeing. However, public investment in transport infrastructure and high-skilled job creation has historically favoured the South East, restricting occupational mobility in the North.
Using the data provided, to what extent, if at all, do the data suggest that people living in the South East of England are better off than people living in Yorkshire and the Humber?
187 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Economics 2.1 The measurement of macroeconomic performance, covering 2.1.1 The objectives of government economic policy, 2.1.2 Macroeconomic indicators, 2.1.3 Uses of index numbers, and 2.1.4 Uses of national income data (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.