Shoppers spending more on alcohol and junk food

Shoppers in the UK are spending more money on alcohol and junk food, an annual government survey has revealed.

The government’s 2003-04 Expenditure and Food Survey revealed that the amount spent by UK households on alcohol increased by 10% in a year. However, the amount of alcohol purchased while eating out dropped by 5.5%.

The survey estimated that the amount of alcoholic drinks consumed per person over 13 was now 0.97 litres a week.

People were now also eating less fruit and vegetables, the survey found. The average person was found to be eating 3.7 portions a day, less than the recommended amount of five portions.

Sales of fruit, vegetables, butter, sugar, white fish, tea and bread all fell, while consumers purchased more soft drinks, milk, processed cheese and yoghurt.

The figures also showed a 12% drop in the number of people eating out at Indian, Chinese and Thai restaurants, although the expenditure on eating out rose by 50% between 1995 and 2004. The average person now spends £10.93 a week on eating out.

In total, the survey found that Britons were spending £22.67 per person on food and drink to be consumed at home, which included £2.65 on alcoholic drinks.

The research also revealed regional variations within the UK.

Scottish households purchased the most soft drinks and were found to be one-and-a-half times more likely to purchase pre-packed sandwiches than Northern Ireland households.

Northern Ireland households were found to be one-and-a-half times more likely to purchase ice cream, deserts and cakes when eating out than Welsh households.

While English households consumed one-and-a-half times more beverages outside the home than Northern Ireland households.

Welsh households spent the most on alcoholic beverages consumed outside the home.

The 2003-04 Expenditure and Food Survey was compiled using the diaries of 16,965 people in 7,048 households about their spending over a typical fortnight.

(KMcA/SP)