UK family spending reaches new peak

UK families' weekly spending rose to around £483.60 (€595.66) a week last year - an increase of £10 (€12.32) a week on the typical levels recorded in 2010, official figures showed today.

Spending increased for the second year in a row and the 2011 average expenditure is the highest recorded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)'s annual Family Spending report series.