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UK household spending fell to £489 a week in 2012

Joanna Faith
Written By:
Joanna Faith
Posted:
Updated:
11/12/2013

UK households spent an average of

The highest spend in 2012 was on housing, fuel and power (excluding mortgages) for the first time at £68.00, overtaking transport spending. This category includes rent, fuel, electricity and maintenance.

Rises in electricity and gas prices and the cold winters of 2011 and 2012 are likely to have contributed to this rise, the ONS said.

Transport has seen the biggest spending reduction, falling from £87.10 per week in 2001/2 to £64.10 in 2012.

The price of petrol increased substantially over this period, and it is likely that motorists have responded to this by reducing journeys, the ONS said.

Spending on recreation and culture such as TVs, computers, newspapers, books, leisure activities and package holidays was the third highest category in 2012, at £61.50 a week.

Average weekly expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks in 2012 was £56.80. £15.00 of which was spent on meat and fish, £4.20 on fresh vegetables, and £3.20 on fresh fruit.