Broadband and mobile phones are among the last things people will give up in order to survive the economic downturn, according to BT.

A survey of 1,600 people carried out by the internet service provider (ISP) found that one in four is ‘desperately’ worried about the possibility of recession. Belt tightening is increasingly the order of the day for three quarters of us; this means eating and going out less, new clothes, newspapers and magazines are the items we are the most likely to stop buying.

But people still feel it is vital to keep their internet connection and mobile phone. Over half (57 per cent) said they would refuse to lose their broadband and 37 per cent would hang on to their mobile.

Personal Finance expert and TV presenter, Alvin Hall, commented: “This attachment to communications is less absurd than it might initially seem… staying connected offers a vital lifeline in this 24/7 society we all now live in.

“Broadband offers access to myriad ways of saving money – searching for the cheapest deal, selling unwanted goods on online auctions, downloading discount vouchers, entering competitions and even taking part in surveys like this one in return for cash."

Britain’s ‘Refuse to Lose’ list
1) Broadband (57 per cent)
2) Fresh fruit and veg (43 per cent)
3) Mobile phone (37 per cent)
4) Home phone (27 per cent)
5) Chocolate (25 per cent)
6) TV subscription (22 per cent)
7) Alcohol (17 per cent)
8) New clothes (13 per cent)
9) Having your hair done (11 per cent)
Shoes (11 per cent)
Eating out (11 per cent)