SCOTTISH families have about £720 worth of disposable income each month, and the amount they have to spend has risen steadily for a year, according to a survey from Asda.

An Income Tracker by Asda has found that disposable income for the average family in Scotland last month had risen by £6 a week when compared to September 2013.

Families therefore have about £180 to spend each week after tax, rent and other bills are deducted.

The latest increase marks the 12th consecutive month during which disposable family income has risen.

Analysts say fluctuations in the global market, and the domestic economic recovery have been at the heart of the resurgence of family spending power.

Rob Harbron, senior economist with the CEBR think tank, said: "It is encouraging to see family spending power rise once again, moving back towards the year-on-year increases seen in the first quarter of this year.

"Falling prices in key sections of household budgets, namely food and vehicle fuels, have helped take inflation on the cost of living to its lowest level since the end of 2009, relieving pressure on household finances.

"With important global commodity prices continuing to weaken, continued easing of price pressures is likely to lead to further improvements in discretionary income in coming months."

The fall in unemployment has also been highlighted as a major contributing factor to the swell of disposable income figures. About 736,000 more people found work over the last year.