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
Commodity or service	Region/ Country	£	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	3.20	London	15.70	8.00
Restaurants and hotels	Wales	31.80	London	53.30	39.10
Miscellaneous goods and services	Wales	28.10	South East	43.90	36.50

Table source: Office for National Statistics