Nothing in the bank

More than 16 million people in the UK have savings of less than £100, a study has found. 

In five areas of the country, Northern Ireland, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, North East England and Wales, more than half the adult population has savings below that level.

"These figures show the millions put at risk by the saving gaps in the UK," said Nick Hill, money expert at the service. "For some on low incomes, saving is a real challenge as they may simply lack the income needed to save at all."

This is a good index on poverty, since having no savings, no capacity to live beyond your next pay cheque is pretty much the definition of poverty.