Trigger Figures

After much searching, I found this:

Income & Expenditure forms

Form 36A-1 for individuals

You will find form 36A-1 at REC1820a. For consistency this version should be used in future.

Income and expenditure details will often be given in a combination of weekly and monthly amounts. To help consistency in determining a figure of uncommitted income you will need to consider the whole situation in terms of monthly or weekly instalments as the case demands. The following conversion formulae may be of assistance

* Monthly to weekly – multiply by 12 then divide by 52
* Weekly to monthly – multiply by 52 then divide by 12
* Four-weekly to monthly – multiply by 13 and divide by 12.

Discretionary expenditure

Discretionary expenditure is the level of spending for which no explanation or comment is needed. To help you assess this “trigger figures” have been devised and are shown in the table below. They represent what research by the Office for National Statistics shows to be average monthly spending in each category and are used throughout the banking and credit industry. These figures will be updated as more up to date information is received.
Expenditure category
Couple no children (£)
Income & Expenditure forms

Form 36A-1 for individuals

You will find form 36A-1 at REC1820a. For consistency this version should be used in future.

Income and expenditure details will often be given in a combination of weekly and monthly amounts. To help consistency in determining a figure of uncommitted income you will need to consider the whole situation in terms of monthly or weekly instalments as the case demands. The following conversion formulae may be of assistance

* Monthly to weekly – multiply by 12 then divide by 52
* Weekly to monthly – multiply by 52 then divide by 12
* Four-weekly to monthly – multiply by 13 and divide by 12.

Discretionary expenditure

Discretionary expenditure is the level of spending for which no explanation or comment is needed. To help you assess this “trigger figures” have been devised and are shown in the table below. They represent what research by the Office for National Statistics shows to be average monthly spending in each category and are used throughout the banking and credit industry. These figures will be updated as more up to date information is received.
Expenditure category
Couple no children (£)
Telephone 20
Mobile Phone 20
Fares and motoring 173
Housekeeping 314
Children 0
Health 24
Pets 12
Repairs and Maintenance 35
Other discretionary expenditure 68

Couple children (£)
Telephone 30
Mobile Phone 20
Fares and motoring 181
Housekeeping 483
Children 38
Health 14
Pets 16
Repairs and Maintenance32
Other discretionary expenditure97

Single person (£)
Telephone 21
Mobile Phone 20
Fares and motoring 173
Housekeeping 215
Children 0
Health 25
Pets 10
Repairs and Maintenance 27
Other discretionary expenditure 50

Single parent (£)
Telephone 27
Mobile Phone 20
Fares and motoring 188
Housekeeping 364
Children 68
Health 10
Pets 10
Repairs and Maintenance 20
Other discretionary expenditure 70

Where expenditure is above the trigger figures in the chart, you may ask the customer for an explanation. The chart does not cover all situations, for example a customer with more than 2 children or people with special dietary requirements or disability are likely to have higher figures of expenditure within certain categories.

There are a number of other categories for which there are no trigger figures.These are categories of expenditure where the customer has no discretion or control over the level of expenditure. They are listed in the chart below and unless you consider that the figure quoted for aparticular category of expenditure is excessive you should accept the level of expenditure.
Rent Pension payments/ AVCs
Mortgage Life assurance
Other Secured loans HP/ Conditional sale
Council Tax TV licence
Court fines Maintenance/ child support
Other housing costs

Might help with checking if your budget is reasonable.

louise