Weekly Wonga

The average British family now spends £456 a week, according to the Annual Report on the Expenditure and Food Survey, reports the BBC today.

It is the 50th outing of this report and there is a special section dedicated to comparing weekly outlay from today, with 50 years ago.

It seems we are spending a greater proportion of our earnings on mortgages or rent and much less on food, than was the case in previous generations.  (No surprises there then!)

Based on the original FES expenditure classification, housing (including mortgage interest payments and rent) is now the single largest item accounting for 19 per cent of spending. In 1957, housing accounted for just 9 per cent.

Based on present day spending, food and non-alcoholic drink purchases contributed £47 to weekly household expenditure of which £12.50 went on meat, £3.60 on fresh vegetables and £2.90 on fresh fruit. Non-alcoholic drinks accounted for £4.10 and £1.90 was spent on chocolate and confectionery per week.

£1.90 a week on chocolate?......not in this house matey...

You can read the full report here.

TS x