60% watching their spending closely

MOST French are cutting down on their daily spending to make their money go further in leisure time.

A survey by polling group Ifop found that young people and factory workers were more likely to trim their normal spending.

On average 60% of those surveyed agreed that they were cutting back to be able to still afford holidays. However 75% of those questioned said they still wanted to buy environmentally friendly products even if they were more expensive.

People aged 18 - 35 were particularly prepared to cut down in order to further their leisure time (80% of 18 – 25-year-olds and 73% of the under 30s) – the percentage drops the higher the age bracket.

In terms of occupation the percentages were higher among factory workers (66%) than general employees (67%) and skilled-professionals and directors (61%).

There was little variation between areas of France with the south-west at 72%, Paris and surrounds 69%, the south-east and north-west 68% and the north-east 63%.

Nearly 1,000 people were interviewed as part of the survey.