Londoners earn by September what Scots pocket in a year, report finds

Workers in London earn by September what people in Scotland make in a year, a report has found.

Research by the Centre for Cities think tank found average annual salaries in London are now £13,800 above the average salary for Scots workers.

Highlighting what it described as “large differences in wages across the country”, the report said Londoners have the highest weekly wage in the UK as they earned an average of £950.20 a week in 2024.

The Cities Outlook 2025 report – which looked at the UK’s 63 largest towns and cities – also found Edinburgh and Aberdeen are among just seven cities in the UK outside of the Greater South East region where workers have average salaries above the UK average.

It said workers in Edinburgh earn an average of £785.50 a week, while those in Aberdeen pocket £765.80.

With Scotland having an overall average weekly wage of £686, the report found average annual salaries in London are £13,800 above those north of the border.

The report said “nearly all” the towns and cities with above average salaries for the UK are in the Greater South East region of England.

It went on to state that places where the exporting sector accounts for a greater share of local output “tend to have higher wages” – and that “cities in the Greater South East tend to have larger export bases”.

It suggested that in order to be “more prosperous”, places “will need to attract more cutting-edge companies”.

The think tank’s report comes after the Labour Government made the delivery of higher living standards in every region of the country one of six “milestones” it is working towards.

Centre for Cities chief executive Andrew Carter said: “The UK Government is right to identify boosting economic growth for every part of the country as a top priority. It is the only sustainable route to higher wages.

“But the stark nature of Cities Outlook’s findings shows an incremental approach is not going to be enough. Boldness, urgency and scale are crucial.

“2025 needs to be a year for delivery, particularly on the UK Government’s industrial strategy.

“The industrial strategy must prioritise growing the cutting edge of the economy, and avoid calls to do something for all sectors and industries.

“This Government has promised more money in people’s pockets. If people across the country are going to earn more by the end of the parliamentary term, then 2025 is the year we need to see action and progress on the Government’s growth ambition.”

Scottish employment minister Tom Arthur said: “Our cities nurture innovation and the Scottish Government is supporting further growth in a range of ways, including the City Region Deals and investment in our enterprise agencies.

“Last year, median gross weekly pay for full-time employees was higher in Scotland than in the UK overall. Scotland was also the third highest of the 12 nations and regions in the UK on this measure, behind only London and the south east of England.”

The UK Government has been contacted for comment.