spoony
Striker
I would guess that the affluent SE didn't need to take advantage of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme whereas areas of poverty and destitution, such as the NE did. Hence the rise in cases?
Never underestimate the rich's ability to snaffle a bargin, or quibble over a few quid. I work for a bank and people with hundrefs of thousands in savings will complain over 20p.