Adult items and activities: percentage stating ‘necessary’

Item PSE NI PSE Britain
% %
Fridge 99 89
Enough money to pay heating, electricity and telephone bills on time 99
Dry, damp-free home 98 93
Health/disability aids and equipment, if needed 98
Visiting friends or family in hospital or other institutions 97 92
Washing machine 95 76
Replacing or repairing broken electrical goods such as fridges or washing machines 95 85
Celebrating special occasions such as Christmas 95 83
Access to a decent pension 94
Warm, waterproof coat 93 85
Enough money to keep your home in a decent state of decoration 92 82
Fresh fruit and vegetables every day 92 86
Visiting friends or family locally 91 84
Vacuum cleaner 90
Home contents insurance 89 79
Attending weddings, funerals or similar occasions 89 80
Visiting school, for example for sports day, parents evening 88 81
Good clothes to wear for job interviews 86 69
Family days out 86
Two pairs of strong shoes 84 64
Central heating 84 94
Having a hobby or leisure activity 84 78
Collecting children from school 84 75
Meal with meat, chicken or fish every second day, if you wanted it 83 79
Regular savings (of £10 a month) for rainy days or retirement 83 66
Telephone (includes mobile) 81 71
Replacing worn out furniture 79 54
Small amount of money to spend each week on yourself, not on your family 76 59
Good outfit to wear for special occasions such as parties or weddings 75 51
Attending church or other place of religious worship 75 42
Presents for friends or family once a year 72 56
Television 71 56
New, not secondhand clothes 62 48
Dictionary 61 53
One week’s annual holiday away from home (not staying with relatives) 60 55
Roast dinner once a week 59 56
Visiting family/friends in other parts of the country by bus or train four times a year 56 38
Car 53 38
Deep freezer 52 68
Having friends or family visit for a drink or meal once a month 51
Going out for an evening meal once a fortnight 40 37
Going out for a meal in a restaurant/pub once a month 35 26
Daily newspaper 34 30
Microwave oven 33 23
Pet, if you want one 31
Tumble dryer 30 20
Video recorder 22 19
Home computer 20 11
Holiday abroad once a year 19 19
Access to the internet from home 13 6
Dishwasher 12 7
Satellite/cable TV 7 5
Second home/holiday home 6

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