Spending on cars nearly doubles in 30 years
By Nicole Martin

Office for National Statistics

BRITONS spend nearly twice as much in real terms on motoring as they did 30 years ago, according to a Government report published today.

 Households sacrifice almost £53 of their £360 average weekly expenditure on fuel, insurance, purchase costs and repairs, the study by the Office for National Statistics found.

 But this 85 per cent increase from £28 in 1970 was in line with the rise in the number of cars per household, indicating that Britons are spending the same amount per vehicle as they did 30 years ago.

 The study found that households spend more on leisure activities and goods - an average £62.50 - than anything else, including food, alcohol and clothes. Denis Down, author of the report, said: "This shows we are a more affluent society."

 Thirty years ago, food was by far the biggest drain on expenditure, accounting for 26 per cent of a household's weekly bill. Today it forms just under 17 per cent - £59.60.