HOUSEHOLDERS in the region have the lowest weekly expenditure in the country, research shows.
Figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics showed spending in the North-East was 17 per cent lower than the national average between 2000 and 2004.
The data for the period revealed that on average, total expenditure ranged from £486 a week for households in London to £336 a week in the North-East.
Research by the ONS also revealed that the average British household continued to spend more than its income. Most recent figures - for the year 2003 to 2004 - showed the average British household spent £592 a week, while the average gross household income was £570.
These spending figures include outgoings such as capital mortgage repayments, life assurance, income tax, national insurance, household improvements, savings, investments and second homes.
When these outgoings were excluded, it brought the average weekly household spending to £418 in the year 2003 to 2004 - up from £406 per week the previous year.
The average weekly mortgage cost was £97. The North-East figure was £58 a week - 41 per cent less than the national average.
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