Personalised car plates adding £2.3bn to the value of Britain

THE OFFICE for National Statistics appears to be making the most of the summer lull. 

 

Yesterday’s data on the net worth of the UK included changes to the usual stats, among them the astonishing news that “personalised or cherished number plates for vehicles” represent a £2.3bn boost to the country’s price tag. 

 

Small beer when compared to the £7.3 trillion value of the UK at the end of 2012, but nevertheless a sizeable industry. The DVLA has more than 40m number plates on offer, and last year raised £67m in sales, though stats suggest that less than six per cent of UK motorists have splashed out. Incidentally, the Bank of England could’ve bought a plate customised with Mervyn King’s initials for a mere £250.