DATA revealed that spending in UK households has fallen during the pandemic.

UK households reduced their spending during the coronavirus pandemic by an average of £109.10 a week, according to the Office of National Statics (ONS).

During the year to March 2021, households spent less on goods and services that were restricted at various times to control the spread of coronavirus.

During the spring 2020 lockdown, more than one-fifth of usual household spending was largely prevented.

Households were able to cut back on spending by switching to home working.

Higher income households, who tended to spend more on travel pre-pandemic, and whose workers were more likely to be able to work from home, saw a larger drop in spending than low income households.

For some the reduction in spending may have been associated with a fall in income.

A third of workers saw their household income fall in the financial year ending (FYE) 2021, rising to 42% for the 20% on the lowest incomes (who were more likely to be furloughed and less likely to be able to work from home than people on higher incomes).