Insights from the March Nowcast: A Shift in Financial Wellbeing

The Economic Nowcast uses near-real-time financial data, and offers an early view of how account holders are really coping. The current Nowcast figures provide policymakers, analysts and public sector organisations with near-real time insight into key economic wellbeing indicators.

The Economic Nowcast has been updated with data to the 15th of February and shows a slight shift in a positive economic direction, with average incomes increasing across Great Britain.  

At a glance:

• Living Beyond Means: 10.4% (0.1% increase)
• Average Weekly Income: £346.82 (0.43% increase)
• Small business productivity: £11,135 (0.598% increase)

Living Beyond Means

After a declining trend at the end of 2025, the proportion of people living beyond their means in Great Britain has increased by 0.1% to 10.4%, following on from last month’s 0.4% increase. This continues the reverse of the previous downward trend, where the figure had fallen to 9.9%, but is a minor increase. 

Regionally, account holders living beyond their means in Wales saw a minor decrease of 0.1% bringing them down to 10% while England had no change from the previous month, remaining at 10.4%. Scotland had an increase from 9.9% to 10%.

Average Weekly Income

The Average Weekly Income in Great Britain has reversed last month’s decrease, returning to an increase of 0.43%, bring the average weekly income across Great Britain to £346.82. 

Regionally, England and Wales both saw increases; England by 0.33% and Wales by 0.17%. Scotland had a larger shift downwards of 1.54% but remains as the highest average income at £383.06.

Small Business Productivity

There has been no change in the Small Business Productivity, the most recent Sage quarterly report was released in February and can be read in full here.