FIGURES have revealed that Swindon’s income per head of population is well below the national average.

The data, which was collected by the independent wealth management firm Succession Wealth, showed that at £18,291 Swindon is £1,223 below the UK as a whole figure of £19,514.

In the meantime, the average income in Swindon increased by just 17 per cent in the decade between 2008 and 2017, while the UK average has seen a rise of 21,4 per cent.

Group communications director for Succession Wealth Mark Stokes said: “Our research shows there remains a real divide in personal wealth across the UK, with those in London and the South East with the highest levels of income.

“However, it is important not to overlook the fact that the cost of living in these regions, such as housing is significantly higher than in many other areas where income per head is lower.”

On a regional basis, the South West has done better than the town, with an increase of 18 per cent, ranking itself at the fourth place of the highest levels of income in Britain.

The average given by the firm is £18,984, slightly above Swindon.These figures highlighted the inequalities between regions. London was at the top with £27,825 per head of population and Wales was at the bottom with £15,754.

It was revealed in May that a quarter of children in Swindon were living in poverty due to low incomes.

Responding to the report, Coun Oliver Donachie, Swindon Borough Council cabinet member for economy and place said: “The figures for Swindon contained in this report are only fractionally different from the national and regional averages.

“Since 2018, within the management and higher-skilled element of the labour market, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of Swindon residents in this bracket.

“Also, according to the Office for National Statistics, 79 per cent of Swindon’s workforce was in employment last year.

“This figure is higher than that for the South West and the whole of Britain and shows that our economy is thriving.

“Earlier this year, the Centre for Cities Outlook report showed that, out of the 63 largest cities and towns in the UK, Swindon has the eighth highest employment rate, higher than Reading and Milton Keynes. We also have the third highest proportion of private sector jobs.

He added: “All this data shows that we are a top location for private businesses and our employment and productivity levels continue to put us among the country’s high-flying towns and cities.”