Poorest in UK have £40 a month less to spare than a year ago, study finds

Richest have gained similar amount over same period, reflecting differing impacts of inflation

The UK's least affluent households have almost 40 a month less spare cash than they did a year ago while the richest have gained a similar sum in the same period, according to figures exposing how inflation has hit the poorest the hardest.

The wealthiest 20% of households had 36 a month more in discretionary income in December compared with a year before, as they enjoyed record earnings growth which offset rising energy and food bills, analysts at Retail Economics found.