How our household bills have changed
Over the past 50 years, British households have moved from spending money on food and drink to spending the majority of household income on accommodation, according to the latest report.The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has carried out an overview of our spending habits now as compared to the 1950s.These days we spend the largest proportion of our earnings on mortgage or rent payments, followed by recreation and cultural activities.By contrast, 50 years ago we spent the largest proportion (one third) of income on food and non-alcoholic drinks. Today we only spend 15 per cent. Expenditure on energy such as gas and electricity has fallen from six to three per cent since 1957, when coal was the most significant fuel source.The 50th ONS annual household expenditure survey interviewed approximately 7,000 families for the report.
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