UK household spending: communication
UK household spending: communication stood at £7,836m in Q2 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Household spending and saving table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 1985 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Household spending and saving table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household final consumption expenditure | |||||||||||
| Communication | 7,836 | 7,761 | 7,676 | 7,627 | 7,619 | 7,589 | 7,687 | 7,779 | 7,918 | 7,864 | |
| Recreation and culture | 43,436 | 43,253 | 42,605 | 42,892 | 42,456 | 42,008 | 41,025 | 40,759 | 40,702 | 40,215 |
Understanding UK household spending: communication
Spending on postal services, telephone hardware, internet access subscriptions, and telecommunications equipment measures total consumer outlays across the United Kingdom for connectivity and communication. This category covers mobile phone purchases, landline contracts, broadband subscriptions, postal fees, and related network services. It differs from recreation categories by isolating communication infrastructure and messaging tools from entertainment media and cultural pursuits.
Reading this series requires accounting for rapid technological change and frequent pricing restructuring by telecommunications providers, which can alter nominal spending patterns independently of service volumes. Revisions to early estimates are common as telecom operator returns and digital service surveys are finalised. Analysts should review year-on-year trends to assess genuine adoption rates of new communication technologies without distortion from seasonal promotional discounting.
Frequently asked questions
- Are business telecommunication bills included?
- Only outlays made by resident households for private domestic use are captured in this consumer expenditure category.
- Does this category include the purchase of smartphones?
- Yes, mobile telephone hardware and device purchases are included alongside network service contracts.
- How do subscription price rises affect the data?
- Annual contract price adjustments by telecom providers directly raise nominal spending totals regardless of data usage volumes.