Britons spend a much bigger proportion of their income on enjoying themselves than they did in the early 1970s, according to the ONS.

The proportion of household budgets spent on general recreation, restaurants, hotels, foreign holidays and transport has risen from 32% in 1971 to more than 40% last year.

The amount spent on food and non-alcoholic drinks by comparison fell from 21% to just 9%. Spending on clothing and footwear also dipped from 9 per cent to 6%.

Financial Times