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Families spending less than in 2006, says ONS | Families spending less than in 2006, says ONS |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Family spending rose to £517.30 a week last year - but remains below pre-crisis levels when inflation is taken into account, official figures show. | Family spending rose to £517.30 a week last year - but remains below pre-crisis levels when inflation is taken into account, official figures show. |
Housing costs, such as rent and fuel, were top of the expenditure list, ahead of transport costs. | |
The amount spent per household rose from £501 in 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. | The amount spent per household rose from £501 in 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. |
But average household spending stood at £539.80 in 2006, after taking the rising cost of living into account. | But average household spending stood at £539.80 in 2006, after taking the rising cost of living into account. |
Overtaken | Overtaken |
The Family Spending Survey is compiled every year by the ONS. | The Family Spending Survey is compiled every year by the ONS. |
It shows that £74.40 a week was spent on average on housing, fuel and power in 2013. This equates to 14% of household spending. However, this figure excludes mortgage interest payments, British council tax or domestic rates in Northern Ireland. | It shows that £74.40 a week was spent on average on housing, fuel and power in 2013. This equates to 14% of household spending. However, this figure excludes mortgage interest payments, British council tax or domestic rates in Northern Ireland. |
A rise in gas and electricity prices pushed this category to the top of the household spending list in 2013, the ONS said. | A rise in gas and electricity prices pushed this category to the top of the household spending list in 2013, the ONS said. |
A previous big hit for family finances was transport, which was second on the list last year at £70.40. Nearly half of this was the cost of running a car, namely petrol, diesel, repairs and servicing. | |
Transport remained a significant expense for families in rural areas of the UK. In these areas, it cost £85.50 a week. | Transport remained a significant expense for families in rural areas of the UK. In these areas, it cost £85.50 a week. |
Overall, average weekly household spending for households in rural areas was £550.50, compared with £481.70 in urban areas from 2011 to 2013. | Overall, average weekly household spending for households in rural areas was £550.50, compared with £481.70 in urban areas from 2011 to 2013. |
There was also evidence in the ONS figures of a north-south divide in spending. | There was also evidence in the ONS figures of a north-south divide in spending. |
In 2011 to 2013, families in the South East of England spent the most per week (£585.40), followed by households in London (£579.60), the East of England (£523.40) and the South West of England (£518.20). All four were above the UK average. | In 2011 to 2013, families in the South East of England spent the most per week (£585.40), followed by households in London (£579.60), the East of England (£523.40) and the South West of England (£518.20). All four were above the UK average. |
Families in the the North East of England spent the least at £424.60 per week, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (£431.10) and Wales (£438.80). | Families in the the North East of England spent the least at £424.60 per week, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (£431.10) and Wales (£438.80). |
The divide between rich and poor is also clear, with the lowest-earning 10% of households spending an average of £189.80 a week. | The divide between rich and poor is also clear, with the lowest-earning 10% of households spending an average of £189.80 a week. |
This compared with an average of £1,119.50 a week for the 10% of highest-earning households in the UK. | This compared with an average of £1,119.50 a week for the 10% of highest-earning households in the UK. |
Major areas of spending for households in general were recreation and culture (£63.90 a week). This category includes spending on TVs, computers, newspapers, books and package holidays. | Major areas of spending for households in general were recreation and culture (£63.90 a week). This category includes spending on TVs, computers, newspapers, books and package holidays. |
The figures suggest that recreation takes a bigger chunk of family income than grocery bills. | The figures suggest that recreation takes a bigger chunk of family income than grocery bills. |
Average weekly spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks in 2013 stood at £58.80, of which £15.60 a week was spent on meat and fish. | Average weekly spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks in 2013 stood at £58.80, of which £15.60 a week was spent on meat and fish. |