Life's not so grim up north

Do parents pay out of generosity - or guilt?

Life's better up north - at least if you earn pocket money.

Parents from northern Britain appear to be more generous than their - nominally wealthier - southern counterparts, according to research firm Mintel.

The survey of nearly 6,000 children showed that northern children aged 7-10 received £3 a week, 11% more than kids in the south.

In the 11-14 age bracket, those north of Birmingham were given £6.39 a week in pocket money, 5% more than their southern contemporaries.

Generous, or guilty?

The results have less to do with wealth than with generosity, says Amanda White of Mintel.

"Parents in lower income families - of which there are proportionally more in northern Britain - tend to take the attitude that they will make the sacrifice so that their kids don't go without like they had to."

But Martin Barnes, director of the Child Poverty Action Group, argues that "children from poorer families are given more pocket money partly as compensation for having to do without the latest training shoes or video game."

In addition, Mr Barnes said that higher pocket money could be paid in recognition of acting as an informal carer for a relative or younger sibling.