Food and non-alcoholic drinks are third-highest household expense
UK shoppers' food budgets make up more than 10 per cent of the total average weekly spend, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The organisation's Expenditure and Food Survey found the average UK household's weekly spend on food in 2003/2004 was£43.50. The total weekly spend was£418.10, up from£406 the year before. The survey showed that although the total household spend has risen food spending has remained level.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages are UK consumers' third-largest weekly expenditure, after transport at£60.70 per week and recreation/culture at£57.30 a week.

The figures are based on information collected from April 2003 to March 2004. More detailed information will be published in the ONS report Family Spending on June 8.