14/09/2026
NI Household Finances Still Under Strain Despite Signs Of Recovery
Northern Ireland households saw a modest uplift in discretionary income at the start of 2026, but real-terms spending power remains far short of pre-cost-of-living levels, according to the Consumer Council's Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker for January to March 2026.
The Tracker shows discretionary income increased across all four income quartiles. However, once inflation is taken into account, none of the groups has recovered to where they were in early 2021.
For the lowest-earning households, with an average gross income of £15,622, spending power has fallen by 35% since early 2021, leaving just £53 a week on average after essential bills.
Households in the second income quartile, averaging £31,277 in gross income, have experienced the steepest drop, with discretionary income down nearly 46% since the start of 2021. Higher-income households (quartiles three and four) have fared better but are still around 22% below their 2021 positions.
Food remains the single largest expense across all income groups. Among the lowest earners, it accounts for almost a quarter (24.4%) of the weekly budget.
Philippa McKeown-Brown, Acting Director of Strategy and Emerging Markets at the Consumer Council, said: "This latest Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker looks back at what happened to consumers' finances in the three-month period covering January to March this year.
"What's concerning is that lowest-earning households are shown to spend over half (54%) of their household budget on the everyday essentials of food, housing, electricity, phone, internet, transport, gas and other fuels. The rising costs in these categories have reduced discretionary income, meaning that many households are ill-equipped to deal with further price increases.
"The Consumer Council encourages consumers to visit our website which has practical support and information to help save on food, home energy, communication, fuel and transport costs."
Consumers without internet access, or anyone seeking help to check energy tariffs, can contact the Consumer Council on freephone 0800 121 6022 or email contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.
Read the latest Tracker: www.consumercouncil.org.uk/research/q1-2026-northern-ireland-household-expenditure-tracker
The Tracker shows discretionary income increased across all four income quartiles. However, once inflation is taken into account, none of the groups has recovered to where they were in early 2021.
For the lowest-earning households, with an average gross income of £15,622, spending power has fallen by 35% since early 2021, leaving just £53 a week on average after essential bills.
Households in the second income quartile, averaging £31,277 in gross income, have experienced the steepest drop, with discretionary income down nearly 46% since the start of 2021. Higher-income households (quartiles three and four) have fared better but are still around 22% below their 2021 positions.
Food remains the single largest expense across all income groups. Among the lowest earners, it accounts for almost a quarter (24.4%) of the weekly budget.
"What's concerning is that lowest-earning households are shown to spend over half (54%) of their household budget on the everyday essentials of food, housing, electricity, phone, internet, transport, gas and other fuels. The rising costs in these categories have reduced discretionary income, meaning that many households are ill-equipped to deal with further price increases.
"The Consumer Council encourages consumers to visit our website which has practical support and information to help save on food, home energy, communication, fuel and transport costs."
Consumers without internet access, or anyone seeking help to check energy tariffs, can contact the Consumer Council on freephone 0800 121 6022 or email contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.
Read the latest Tracker: www.consumercouncil.org.uk/research/q1-2026-northern-ireland-household-expenditure-tracker
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Northern Ireland households saw a modest uplift in discretionary income at the start of 2026, but real-terms spending power remains far short of pre-cost-of-living levels, according to the Consumer Council's Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker for January to March 2026.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy but mainly dry in the morning. Persistent rain, heavy at times with a chance of thunder, will extend east across all parts in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Cloudy in the evening as occasionally heavy rain spreads east with a small chance of thunder. Scattered showers feed in from the west overnight, some clear spells in the east. Minimum temperature 13 °C.