Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in “Households Below Average Income 1994/95-2005/06”. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
The data source does not allow us to provide robust numbers for estimates below the level of Government office region. However the available information for each of the regions containing the areas in the question is given in the following table.
Number of pensioners (million) living in households with below 60 per cent. of median income (three survey year average, 2003-04 to 2005-06), after housing costsNumberLondon0.2East of England0.2 Notes:1. Three survey year averages are given for each of the regions as robust single year estimates cannot be produced because of the sample sizes for individual regions.2. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication ‘Households Below Average Income’ (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or “equivalised”) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.3. The figures are based on OECD equalisation factors.4. The preferred measure of low income for pensioners is by using a threshold of 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income after housing costs. This is consistent with indicators that will be monitored as part of PSA Delivery Agreement 17.5. Tables show numbers in millions rounded to the nearest 100,000.Source:Family Resources Survey 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06