An SNP MP has called for answers after the Tory government was forced to admit that Scotland Office spending on advertising and spin doctors sky-rocketed in the run-up to the June snap election. Continue reading Scotland Office: spinning out of control?
LOTHIAN RESIDENTS SPEND THE MOST ON NIGHTS OUT
People living in Edinburgh and the Lothian region spend the most money on going out, according to new research from the Bank of Scotland. Residents in Lothian topped the poll, spending an average £116 per month on nights out, according to Bank of Scotland’s How Scotland Lives report – £19 more than the national average spend.
Coming in second place, those living in Glasgow and Fife were both found to spend an average £104 per month on going out. While those in the Highlands & Islands came last, spending just £75 per month.
West Scotland and South Scotland also scored low on the report, with residents spending a mere £89 and £82 on going out.
The research also pinpointed Lothian as the region which spends the most amount of money on themselves and their partners, with residents forking out an average £98 per month – £14 more than the national average.
Central Scotland came second, spending £95 on themselves, and their partners. While South Scotland are the most frugal when it comes to splashing out on themselves and their partners, spending just £74.
As well as highlighting Lothian’s sociable side, the research report has also provided a comparison of what Scotland’s key regions spend more on, compared to other regions.
Residents in Aberdeen come out on top for rent, mortgage and car payments, while those living in Dundee spend the most amount of money on shopping for children.
Those living in Glasgow were found to spend the most on insurance premiums, while Highlands & Islands residents were revealed as spending the most amount of money on debt payment – and adult care costs.
A full snapshot of Scotland’s key regional spending habits:
| Region | What it spends more on compared to any other Scottish region* | Mean expenditure (per month) | Comparison to the national average spend (£) |
| Glasgow | Insurance premiums | £115 | £8 more |
| Lothians | Going out | £116 | £19 more |
| Shopping for themselves/a partner | £98 | £14 more | |
| Highlands & Islands | Paying off debts | £276 | £50 more |
| Adult care costs | £205 | £66 more | |
| Dundee & surrounds | Shopping for children | £102 | £14 more |
| Aberdeen & surrounds | Mortgage and rent payments | £527 | £104 more |
| Car payments | £182 | £36 more |
Scotland’s debt doubts
In addition to providing a snapshot of Scotland’s regional spending habits, the How Scotland Lives research report has highlighted the debt faced by many across the country.
In particular, 46% of Scots are carrying over at least some form of debt from the previous month.
More than half of debtors indicated they were concerned with their current financial position. This is particularly the case among 35-45 year olds, with 30% believing they will always be in debt.
Rachel Bright, Head of Customer Services at Bank of Scotland said: “While other regions spend more on necessity costs such as insurance premiums and debts, Lothian comes out on top for just wanting to have a good time.
“The research also paints a picture of the level of consumer debt in Scotland. It’s concerning that almost half of Scots aren’t paying off their debts from previous months and we would always encourage people to look at other areas to see if they can make savings that will allow them to pay off more debt.”
Hitting the shops to start your Christmas shopping? Or shopping online, maybe? However you shop, it’s far too easy to get caught up in the annual festive shopping frenzy. Here are some seasonal tips from Citizens Advice Scotland to help make sure you don’t start the New Year with a debt hangover …
… and it’s nothing to do with the Referendum!
With Christmas just around the corner new research from Clydesdale Bank has shown that the nation is divided over the very thing that makes Christmas sparkle – this country’s love affair with outdoor festive lights!
Almost half of us (47%) said we love seeing lots of brightly lit Santas, snowmen and reindeers outside of houses at this time of year. However, almost a third have a more ‘bah humbug’ approach to lighting up the festive season.
The survey revealed that 14% of us think they are a waste of money and a further 11% actually wishing their neighbours wouldn’t decorate the outside of their homes. Nearly one in ten (8%) of those surveyed said they simply don’t like Christmas decorations while a sixth (15%) said they would like to put lights outside their home but the cost of powering them puts them off.
But despite mixed views the majority of the nation is getting into the festive spirit with 57% of us saying we are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.
However this time of year is also proving to be stressful for some with almost a fifth of those surveyed admitting that they are worried about paying for Christmas and a further 19% stating that Christmas shopping is their least favourite part of the build-up to the big day.
Andrew Pearce, Retail Director for Clydesdale Bank, said: “Our research has shown that people either love or loathe outdoor Christmas lights. Some view them as extravagant and an unnecessary waste of money and electricity whilst others enjoy the Christmas atmosphere they bring to the community.
“Whatever decorations you opt for this year, it’s still possible to have fun this festive season without blowing the budget.”
Clydesdale Bank’s simple tips to save money this Christmas:
What’s your view – tacky or terrific? Let us kno-ho-ho!
