The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 25 June 2008:"As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the average annual income has been in, (a) Yorkshire and Humberside, (b) Leeds Metropolitan District, and (c) Leeds West Constituency in each year since 2000. (209745)""Table 1 shows the average net weekly equivalised household income for Yorkshire and Humberside, both before and after housing costs, at 2004-05 prices, since 2000-01, 2002-03. These figures are based on the Department for Work and Pensions' Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series which is produced using the Family Resources Survey. It is not possible to present results from the HBAI series below the level of Government Office Regions. While HBAI more commonly presents median incomes, mean incomes are also shown here in order to be more comparable with the mean incomes shown for Leeds West Constituency and Leeds Metropolitan District.""Table 2 shows average net weekly equivalised household incomes for Leeds West and Leeds Metropolitan District, before and after housing costs, for the year 2004-05 (in 200-05 prices). These are based on experimental small area statistics published by the ONS (see background notes). Figures for other years are unavailable.""Equivalised household incomes are used as a proxy for living standards. Incomes are equivalised to account for household size and composition, and the members of each household are assumed to benefit equally from the household's income. Average household incomes are calculated by assigning the household income to all members of the household, and averaging among individuals.""It should be borne in mind that the Government Office Region statistics and the small area statistics are based on different methodologies. It is not possible to separate out methodological differences from real differences. Small differences or changes over time should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error." Table 1: Average net weekly equivalised household income in Yorkshire and Humberside, at 2004-05 prices¹, ², ³2000-01 to 2006-074 £ per week Before housing costs5 After housing costs5 Median income Mean income Median income Mean income 2000-01 to 2002-03 308 374 262 321 2001-02 to 2003-04 317 380 272 328 2002-03 to 2004-05 322 380 279 332 2003-04 to 2005-06 322 377 280 332 2004-05 to 2006-07 328 381 298 332 ¹ Incomes are presented net of income tax payments, National Insurance contributions and Council tax. ² Yorkshire and Humberside as defined by Government office region. ³ All figures have been rounded to the nearest pound. 4 Three-year averages have been presented, as single year estimates would be subject to volatility. 5 Housing costs include rent (gross of housing benefit), water charges, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance, ground rent and service charges. Source: Households Below Average Income', Department for Work and Pensions. Table 2: Average net weekly equivalised household income for Leeds West constituency and Leeds Metropolitan District 2004-05¹, ² £ per week Mean income (before housing costs)³ Mean income (after housing costs)³ Leeds West Constituency 340 290 Leeds Metropolitan District 400 350 ¹ Incomes are presented net of income tax payments, National Insurance contributions and Council tax. ² Figures rounded to the nearest £10. ³ Housing costs include rent (gross of housing benefit), water charges, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance, ground rent and service charges. 4 These estimates are based on experimental small area statistics (see background notes). Source: Office for National Statistics and Department for Work and Pensions.