Household Expenditure Survey needs data from young people
More young people are needed to help fill in the Household Expenditure Survey.
The survey has already represented data from 430 households, but is aiming to reach 1,000 by the end of the year.
It is undertaken every five years in order to update inflation indices, measure how prices are changing over time and what people often call cost of living.
‘This survey looks at what households are spending and how that has changed since our last survey, and make sure that those indices we publish are up to date and representative of the makeup of the population and what they’re spending their money on,’ said head of data and analysis Helen Walton.
‘Uptake is usually pretty good, we have a team of field workers and it usually works out that for every 10 doors they knock on, three or four say yes to doing the survey.
‘People can also volunteer even if they haven’t had a letter from us, and we have quite a few volunteers, but we’re always keen for more.’
The survey is more complex than the online ones and is done in two parts.
A field worker will conduct an interview to cover the household’s mortgage, monthly utility payments, holidays and cars.
The household is left with a diary to complete over the next fortnight for daily expenses such as food and fuel.
‘Because this survey is used for the inflation indices, we need to get a representative sample, which is why we’ve got field workers,’ said Ms Walton.
‘The inflation figures are used so widely so it’s important we have people from across the whole population, different household types and sizes to make sure the figures are representative.’
The eldest person to take part so far is aged 97. The largest household was one of seven people.
‘At the moment, we’ve got a slightly better response from retired people, and less from working people, probably due to how much time people have,’ said Ms Walton.
‘Over the next few months we will see what we can do to balance that out and encourage more younger people.’
Once the results are in, the analysis will begin.
The outcomes may influence future pensions, mortgages or maintenance agreements for children.
The States thanks participants either with a guaranteed cash payment, which is £20 for the first adult, £10 for any other adults and £5 for children, or people can enter a prize draw which takes place each quarter.
Frances Stopher won third place and £50 in the most recent prize draw.
‘We all have views about what the States do but a lot of people don’t use their voices, so I thought if I could do this to help then it might have an impact in future things, and felt that it was my duty to do so,’ she said.
‘It was a very pleasant experience, simple and friendly, and then I had two weeks to fill out all of my expenditure.
‘It was quite a good exercise because it makes you think about everything that you’re buying.’
More information, how to volunteer and prize winners can be found here.
