North West consumers top cigarettes and alcohol spending

North West consumers top cigarettes and alcohol spending

Consumers in the North West spend more on cigarettes, alcohol and narcotics than in any other English region according to figures released this week.

The Office for National Statistics’ 2012 edition of “Family Spending” examined the weekly expenditure of families throughout England from 2009-2011.

While the average weekly expenditure in the region of £440 was below the national average however, the North West spent more per week on cigarettes and alcohol than anywhere else.

Consumers spend £12.90 every week on such products in this region, compared to the national average of £11.40.

It was also found spending was above average on clothing and footwear, costing £22.20 per week as opposed to £21.40.

In all ten of the other categories however, spending was down with an average £2.50 less spent every week on food and non-alcoholic drinks at £50.80.

Housing, fuel and power typically costs £55.70 compared to a national figure of £61.80, while transport is a massive £8.20 below the English weekly average of £63.70.

Overall, the average household expenditure in the UK was £470.70 per week during the period researched.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, expenditure in London (£574.90) and the South East (£539.30) was highest while the North East (£384.20) and Wales (£398.20) came in lowest.

Housing, fuel and power costs in London were more than 50% above the national average at £91.30.