Families are spending more on eating out than at any time in the past five years (£45.10 per week), while weekly spending on alcohol and tobacco has fallen to below £12 for the first time, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS’ family spending survey revealed that families across the UK spent an increased £1.80 on eating out during the financial year ending March 2016 compared with the previous year - where figures have been adjusted for inflation - corresponding to growing consumer trends for eating out or on the go.

Consumers spent £17.30 per week on average on restaurant and café meals, £4.70 on takeaway meals, £7.50 on alcoholic drinks consumed away from the home and £8.90 on accommodation services.

The survey also found that the average weekly spend on alcohol, tobacco and narcotics fell by a third across the decade to £11.40 - below £12 for the first time. Average weekly spending on tobacco in 2015/16 was £3.60 - this includes £2.80 average spending on cigarettes, a fall of £0.30 from the 2014/15 average weekly spending on cigarettes, figures not adjusted for inflation. The ONS has attributed this decrease to the continuation in the falling number of smokers in the UK.

Average weekly household spending remained level at £528.90 in the financial year ending 2016. The ONS attributed this to a slowdown in consumer confidence. Eating out equated to 9% of total weekly expenditure, while alcohol and tobacco stood at just 2% of total expenditure.

The study also found that consumers spent on average £56.80 per week on food and non-alcoholic drinks, equating to 11% of total expenditure.