Households spending more on leisure

Last Modified: 28 Jan 2008
Source: PA News

The changing face of UK household spending over the past 50 years has emerged in official figures.

Housing costs such as mortgage interest and rent now take up the biggest slice of the weekly budget at an average 19% compared with 9% in 1957, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Spending on food and non-alcoholic drink has dropped sharply from 33% of weekly household expenditure 50 years ago to just 15%, latest ONS figures show.

Greater disposable income means leisure goods and services now account for 19% of weekly spending compared to 9% in 1957.

"Expenditure on leisure remained fairly stable until 1977. From 1977 until 2006 the expenditure has increased at a greater rate than in the 20 years between 1957 and 1977," the ONS Family Spending 2007 report says.

Tobacco now accounts for 1% of average weekly household spending compared with 6% in 1957. Spending on motoring and travel costs has risen from 8% to 16% over the same period.

Clothing and footwear also take a smaller cut of the average household budget, down from 10% in 1957 to just 5%. Spending on alcoholic drinks has remained unchanged at 3% of the average weekly household budget.

The ONS report says: "Our pattern of expenditure has changed over the last 50 years.

"In 1957, food and non-alcoholic drinks accounted for the highest proportion of our average weekly household expenditure."

Housing costs now make up the biggest single spending category, the report adds.

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