Survey reveals 529 pounds average cost of living in British households

People in Britain are spending more on restaurants and dining out, and less on cigarettes, a survey of the average weekly household spend revealed Thursday.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said its annual survey showed families spent an average 529 pounds (662 U.S. dollars) a week in 2016, almost the same as in the previous year.

ONS said the weekly spend coincided with a slowdown in consumer confidence.

Low-income households, said ONS, continued to spend a higher proportion of their expenditure on food and energy compared with households with a higher income.

Households spent more on recreation and culture at around 68 pounds than the 57 pounds spent on food.

While spending has increased from its lowest level of 507.20 pounds seen in 2012, average spending has still not returned to the pre-economic downturn levels of spending seen before 2007, figures show.

Household spending in London was well above the national average, reaching 652 pounds a week, compared to north east England where the weekly spend of 423 pounds a week was the lowest.

ONS statistician Jo Bulman said: "We did see some interesting shifts in the types of things people are spending their money on. The average spending on alcohol and tobacco fell below 12 pounds a household for the first time as people spend less on cigarettes." Enditem