Londoners spend least on booze, fags and drugs – Northern Irish most
Londoners spend an average of £10.10 a week – the lowest in the country – on alcohol, tobacco and narcotics, according to a study of household spending by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The Northern Irish spend most, funnelling £16.50 towards these vices each week.
However, in half of all categories mentioned in the spending report, Londoners are shelling out more than the rest of the country, spending most on energy bills, food and non-alcoholic drinks, education and hotels and restaurants.
Those living in the North East spend the least in half of categories including, the least on food, recreation, energy bills and, food and non-alcoholic drinks.
This is not particularly surprising, however, as the North East has the smallest weekly expenditure overall, while London has the largest. The ONS said the difference is reflective of the North-South disposable income divide.
Overall, the biggest drain on household coffers is transport. On average, households spend £63 each week simply getting around; in the South East this rises to £75, though, once again, the North East spends the least at £50 a week.
Who spends what:
Lowest weekly expenditure | Highest weekly expenditure | UK | |||
Region/ Country | £ | £ | £ | ||
Food and non-alcoholic drink | North East | 45.70 | London and Northern Ireland | 57.90 | 53.40 |
Alcoholic drink, tobacco and narcotics | London | 10.10 | Northern Ireland | 16.50 | 11.70 |
Clothing and footwear | East Midlands | 18.80 | Northern Ireland | 40.90 | 22.00 |
Housing (net) fuel and power | North East | 46.20 | London | 91.30 | 60.30 |
Household goods and services | Wales | 22.10 | London | 34.10 | 28.90 |
Health | Wales | 3.10 | South East | 8.50 | 5.70 |
Transport | North East | 50.10 | South East | 74.80 | 63.00 |
Communication | North East | 11.10 | London | 15.90 | 12.70 |
Recreation and culture | North East | 50.50 | South East | 71.40 | 59.80 |
Education | North East | London | 15.70 | 8.00 | |
Restaurants and hotels | Wales | London | 53.30 | 39.10 | |
Miscellaneous goods and services | Wales | South East | 43.90 | 36.50 |
Table source: Office for National Statistics