Nearly 40% of households, most of them in London, now own a computer.

In 1999-2000, average weekly expenditure for UK households was �360, just �10 more a week than the previous year.

In a reversal of the picture in the 1970s, where spending on food took up 26% of household income and leisure spending was relatively low (9%), slightly more today is being spent on leisure goods and services than food and drink - �62 a week, compared with �60 a week.

Fizzy drinks

But alcohol has become more popular. Households now spend about �15 a week on alcohol, up �2 since 1995, with beer and cider being consumed the most, regardless of income.

Household weekly spend 1999-2000

Motoring (car-owners) �74 Leisure goods and services �62.50 Food and non-alcoholic drinks �60 Housing �57 Alcohol �15.30 Meals out �9.90 Computers �1.40 Takeaway meals �3.40

There are some big regional variations to this picture.

People in the north west of England are the biggest drinkers of alcohol, those in Northern Ireland buy it the least.

Londoners consume the most bottled water, fruit juices and squashes, while people in Scotland go for fizzy drinks.

Households in London also spent about 25% more than the national average on holidays, while homes in Northern Ireland and the north east of England spent the least.

Expenditure on rail and tube fares was also greatest for households in London, at a weekly average of �4.30, more than twice the UK average.

Households in Scotland spent the most on bus and coach fares.

Rich and poor

The lowest of the 10 income groups had an average weekly expenditure of about �120, compared with the highest, at �780.

For households in the lower half of the income range, food and non-alcoholic drinks and housing were the largest items of spending.

They were overtaken by leisure spending for households in the upper half of the range.

But, significantly, poorer households spend more of their budget for entertainment and sports on satellite and cable TV than those with higher incomes.

The richest income groups spend most on active sports, including buying tickets for football matches.

Eating out

As a nation, Britons are still keen on buying takeaway meals and pizzas, with expenditure in this area continuing to rise from �2.40 in 1995 to �3.40.

We are also becoming a cafe and restaurant society, spending an average �10 a week on eating out.

Those aged between 30 and 64 are the most enthusiastic restaurant-goers, presumably because this age-group has a higher disposable income.

Techno society

Technology is also eating into most households budgets.

Nearly 40% of households, most in London, now own a computer, 25% more than five years ago - with families spending about �1.40 on hardware each week.

There has also been a big increase in the ownership of mobile phones. 44% of households now have them, costing about �2 a week, compared with just 40p in 1995.

Households headed by those aged 30-49 spent the most on buying TV's, videos, computers and audio equipment, at �11 a week.