29 January 2008 -- With spiralling food prices and energy bills, talk of a looming recession, and a credit crunch which means only the most economically attractive can get a mortgage, staying above the poverty line may seem a tough task in today's world.

Weren't things far better in the Fifties, when a few pounds could feed a family for a week, transport costs were at rock bottom and buying a home was an achievable dream even for a teenager?

Well no, it seems, they were not. In fact, according to a new report, we have never had it so good ...

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the average UK household income has increased 40 times since 1957 - but the retail price index, a multiplier of how much the cost of goods has increased - is just 17.

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The report also looks at the top 50 items as a proportion of household spending.

In 1957, this list included 20 items of food and drink including fresh milk; beef and veal; mutton and lamb, and sugar.

The latest report contains just ten food and drink items, among them takeaway and snack food. But unlike in 1957, fresh vegetables do appear - ranked in 34th place.

Prof MacRae said grocery shopping habits could account for the drop in spending on food generally, with visits to stores now likely to take place weekly rather than daily as in the 1950s.