Families 'spend most on transport'
Updated on 26 November 2008
Transport costs made up the biggest slice of family household spending during 2007, according to official figures.
Families spent an average of £61.70 a week on transport, equivalent to 13.4% of the total average household expenditure of £459.20 per week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported.
Personal transport, including fuel and servicing family vehicles, cost £28.80 per week, or 47% of all spending on transport, while spending on rail and tube fares rose to an average £2.50 a week and bus and coach tickets fell to £1.20.
The ONS annual Family Spending report shows recreation and culture came second in household budgets at 12.5% (£57.40 a week), including items such as televisions, computers, books and leisure activities.
Housing, fuel and power was the third-largest category at £51.80 a week (11.3%), followed by food and non-alcoholic drinks at £48.10 (10.5%).
Mortgage capital and interest repayments are not included in the statistics on housing costs, the ONS said.
Of the £48.10 spent on food and non-alcoholic drinks each week, £12.80 was on meat and fish, £3.70 on fresh vegetables, £3 on fresh fruit and £4 on non-alcoholic drinks.
Of the £14.60 spent on alcohol, 45% or £6.60 was on alcohol to be drunk at home and 55% or £8 was on alcoholic drinks bought and drunk on licensed premises.
Although spending increased in most categories between 2006 and 2007, the latest figures revealed a notable reduction in spending on package holidays and clothing. Package holidays fell by 40p to an average of £13.40 a week in 2007, largely because of reduced spending on foreign holidays.
Spending on clothing fell to an average of £22 a week - its lowest level since 2001/2. One of the biggest falls was in women's underwear, where spending fell 20p to £1.10 a week.
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