Britons spend more on gambling than on fruit and veg

The average British family spends more on gambling than fresh vegetables, fresh fruit or holidays abroad, according to an official analysis of family spending. The Family Spending report, which is based on interviews with almost 7,000 families, reveals that £3.60 a week is spent on gambling, compared with £3.40 on fresh vegetables, £2.80 on fresh fruit and £3.20 on holidays abroad.

With the arrival of the digital age, and a substantial rise in the number of people working from home, the report shows that Britons would rather spend money on computers than a machine that washes the plates. Almost twice as many people own a home computer than have a dishwasher, and more than half of British families now have an internet connection.

The headline figure of £443 spent per family per week compared with £434 in 2004-05, £418 in 2003-04 and £406 the year before. The proportion of homes owning a home computer rose to 65 per cent in 2005-06 from 33 per cent in 1998-99. Households with an internet connection also rose, from 10 per cent to 55 per cent over the same period. There has also been a huge increase in the ownership of mobile phones since 1998-99, from 27 per cent to 79 per cent.

The report by the Office for National Statistics says that while Britons may work hard, they are also playing hard, spending substantial sums on enjoying themselves. Out of £443 a week, transport is the most expensive item at £62 a week, but recreation and leisure is the second biggest expense for British families at £58 a week. This includes TVs, computers, newspapers, books, leisure activities and holidays. On average, £12.50 a week is spent on package holidays abroad, compared with £1 a week on holidays in the UK.

Families also spend £2 a week on chocolate, although a separate study by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says confectionery purchases are down by six per cent as we embrace healthy living and turn to semi-skimmed milk (up 3.3 per cent), fruit (up 7.7) and fish (up 5.7). However, we are making a return to butter, with sales up 8.3 per cent, as people no longer perceive it as an unhealthy food.

Unsurprisingly, average weekly spending is highest among households consisting of three or more adults and children, at £744 a week. The lowest expenditure is reported among single, retired people mainly dependent on the state pension, at £135 a week. Households with two adults and two children spend an average of £642 a week.

For households with mortgages, the average weekly cost of their home loan in the 2005/06 financial year was £127. Households in the South East spent the most on their mortgage, with an average £171 a week.

Source: telegraph.co.uk