HOW CHILDREN SPEND THEIR MONEY
CHILDREN are spending more money on soft drinks and hot food than they are on toys and games, official figures have revealed.
In proof that after-school sausage rolls and fizzy drinks do add up, findings from the Office for National Statistics show that children spend £47 a year on soft drinks and £43 a year on hot food.
Children are also spending £51 of their own money on school dinners each year, plus a further £32 on cold food such as sandwiches and ice creams.
In comparison, children spend just £40 a year on toys, games, or hobbies - although this does not include computing games and electronics.
Children aged between 7-15 were asked to keep diaries on how they spent any money earned through pocket money, gifts, or jobs such as paper rounds.
The amount spent on soft drinks in particular could spark health concerns, as recent government findings revealed that a third of children in the UK are overweight or obese. Barbara Crowther, coordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, said: “Whilst there are some restrictions of advertising of sugary drinks to children both on children’s TV and online, the not-so-sweet truth is that our kids are still bombarded by marketing on a daily basis, from the corner shop and the supermarket, on their way to and from school, the vending machines on every station platform, in leisure centres and sports facilities, and at almost every special event they attend.
“The introduction of the Sugary Drinks Industry Levy in April 2018 is a start, but without further curbs on marketing of all high sugar foods, it’s an upward battle for parents and teachers wanting to promote consistent healthy eating messages.
“We’re calling on the government to focus tightening the curbs on junk food marketing as they look at the next stage of the Childhood Obesity Strategy this year.” The survey also revealed that children are spending the most on clothes and shoes at £92 a year, and spending the least on toiletries at just £21 annually. Unsurprisingly, those aged 15 spent the most over the course of the year - at £1,300 - but children aged seven still managed to spend £385.