Today

The popularity of home improvement programmes has helped to increase spending on DIY, according to the latest figures.

Research carried out by the Halifax bank shows spending on DIY has increased by 76 per cent to £11.3bn over the past decade.

In comparison spending on tradesmen fell by 10 per cent to £5.7bn over the same ten-year period.

Within DIY, purchases of tools grew the most, up 126 per cent over the past decade to £4.2bn, while spending on DIY materials rose 56 per cent to £7.1bn.

According to the report, DIY accounted for around 2 per cent of total UK consumer spending in 2005, up from 1 per cent in 1995.

Spending on DIY fell marginally in 2005 as the housing market slowed, down 1 per cent to £11.3bn from £11.4bn a year earlier.

People living in London spend the most on home improvements with an average annual expenditure of £961, followed by households in the South East who spend, on average, £860.

Families in the North East (£454) and Scotland (£548) spend the least, the survey found.

Tim Crawford, group economist at Halifax, said: "Spending on DIY has risen substantially over the past ten years, although there was a pause in spending in 2005, in line with the slowdown in the housing market. Spending on DIY is now double the spending on trades services.

"DIY spending is highest in the South of England, although there have been increases in DIY spending in the North of England and Scotland and Wales, reflecting the recent strength in housing markets in these regions."