4.1C Quality of life indices

• Uswitch index = measures the quality of life, includes housing affordability, energy costs, broadband availability, average income and crime rates
• places change functions over time due to new industries moving in or out or a change in economic sectors
• Income inequality:

  • Inequalities in pay levels are linked to differences in the type of employment
  • The use of food banks has increased by 50% over the last 4 years, as people on casual contracts struggle with the rising cost of living
  • Managers and professionals are more highly paid than manual workers
• There are huge differences in income and cost of living, both locally and nationally

  • London and the South East are more expensive to live in than the rest of the UK
  • Jobs offers in London often have the ‘London allowance’ to help make up for the higher prices of goods and service