People in the UK now have 8% of their take home salary left each month up from 5% since the previous quarter, according to the  Disposable Income Index from Scottish Friendly.

London and Scotland topped the tables with people in each region having, on average, £263 left over each month after essentials were paid for.

Wales and the North East lagged behind with £193 and £182 respectively.

The survey also found the increase in disposable income has prompted a rise in the levels of saving.

Some 60% of people in the UK chose to put money aside each month, up 5% since the last index.

Sponsored

How to get your first-time buyer clients mortgage ready

Sponsored by Halifax Intermediaries

UK residents put an average of £287 per month into savings accounts or ISAs equating to £10bn per month in savings across the UK.

Scottish Friendly suggested the eagerness to save may be linked to wariness about the future.

According to the report, 28% of people surveyed in June saw their financial situation deteriorating in the next three months, up three percentage points from 25% last quarter.

Neil Lovatt, product director at Scottish Friendly, said: “The results show a stronger mood of personal responsibility among savers in the UK, across all income levels.

“Clearly this may be underpinned by a general wariness about the immediate future but the fact that people are addressing this by saving more for a rainy day is positive indeed.”

While a third of respondents did not have any financial priorities, 22% were focused on getting out of debt and 14% were set on avoiding it in the first place.

Lovatt added: “Debt is a preoccupation for many and it is encouraging to see that repaying and avoiding it are amongst the top priorities for Britain today.”