The average weekly income of households in Northern Ireland increased by 10 per cent last year, while expenditure grew by only 4 per cent, according to a British government agency.
Welcoming the Northern Ireland Family Expenditure Survey Report 1997-98, the Economy Minister, Mr Adam Ingram, said the findings were a "clear indication of the improving situation" in the North in comparison with the rest of the UK.
"Although average incomes remain lower than in the UK as a whole, there is evidence of faster growth, while weekly expenditure is increasing at a slower rate than in the UK", Mr Ingram said.
According to the report, the average gross weekly income of Northern Ireland households was £359 (up from £326 in 1996-97), compared to £421 for the UK as a whole. The average weekly expenditure in the North was £302.40 (up from £290.20), while the UK average amounted to £328.80.
Only two UK regions, the north-east and Wales, had lower average weekly household incomes and expenditure than Northern Ireland.