Where you live has a massive impact on what you earn, new research has shown.
Salaries are highest in London, perhaps unsurprisingly. But there are also huge variations between other towns and cities in the UK.
The Center for Cities, which published the report, said the findings showed why “2025 has to be the year the government delivers on its ambitions to raise economic growth”.
Workers in London earn on average £950.20 every week, while those in Burnley earn just £567.50.
Other high-paying areas include:
- Slough: £925.20 per week
- Reading: £857.40 per week
- Cambridge: £847.60 per week
- Edinburgh: £785.50 per week
- Milton Keynes: £780.70 per week
- Oxford: £777 per week
- Aberdeen: £765.80 per week
- Bristol: £755.60 per week
But the lowest-paying areas include:
- Huddersfield: £583.30 per week
- Exeter: £597 per week
- Middlesbrough £598.40 per week
- Doncaster: £604.20 per week
- Mansfield: £604.80 per week
- Leicester: £605.80 per week
The difference is partly caused by some areas having more hi-tech jobs than others, such as advanced manufacturing, software development or computerized financial services.
The report said these allow areas to export services to other parts of the countries and overseas.
Ministers have been urged to help left-behind areas develop by handing more powers to mayors and pressing ahead with plans to build more homes.
Andrew Carter, chief executive of Center for Cities, said: “The Government is right to identify boosting economic growth for every part of the country as a top priority. It is the only sustainable route to higher wages.
“But the stark nature of Cities Outlook's findings shows an incremental approach is not going to be enough.
“Boldness, urgency and scale are crucial. 2025 needs to be the year for delivery, particularly on the government's industrial strategy, framework for English devolution and its reforms to planning.
“Bold changes to planning rules can deliver more housing in the most expensive places and in our big cities, where it's needed most.
“The industrial strategy must prioritize growing the cutting edge of the economy, and avoid calls to do something for all sectors and industries.
“And English devolution needs to be fast-tracked so more places, particularly the big cities, have the powers and resources to deliver the pay increases that many parts of the country badly need.
“This government has promised more money in people's pockets. If people across the country are going to earn more by the end of the parliamentary term, then 2025 is the year we need to see action and progress on the government's growth ambition.”