Percentage of households with selected consumer durables, UK
The ownership of consumer durables in the UK continued to increase into 2008.
The proportion of households owning a home computer rose from 70 per cent to 72 per cent between 2007 and 2008; up from 67 per cent in 2006. The percentage of households with an Internet connection rose from 61 per cent in 2007 to 66 per cent in 2008.
In the highest income decile group, 98 per cent of households owned a home computer and 96 per cent had an Internet connection in 2008. This compares with 33 per cent of households in the lowest income decile group who owned a home computer and 26 per cent who had an Internet connection.
The proportion of households with a satellite, digital or cable receiver increased from 77 per cent in 2007 to 82 per cent in 2008 and from 43 per cent in 2001/02. In the highest income decile group, 91 per cent of households had a receiver compared with 63 per cent in the lowest income decile group.
Growth in mobile phone ownership has been moderate since 2001/02, increasing from 64 per cent to 79 per cent in 2008. Only 61 per cent of households in the lowest income decile group reported ownership, compared with 88 per cent in the highest income decile group.
In 2008 most homes had central heating (95 per cent), a washing machine (96 per cent), a microwave (92 per cent) and a telephone (90 per cent).
Source: Living Costs and Food Survey, Office for National Statistics
Notes: The consumer durables covered by the Living Costs and Food Survey are: central heating, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, microwave, telephone, mobile phone, video recorder, satellite receiver, CD player, DVD player, home computer, Internet connection.
printer-friendly
Data: Family Spending