Can the LCF be used to monitor change over time?
Yes, as a repeated cross-sectional survey the LCF can be used to monitor patterns of aggregate change. However, the survey cannot be used to assess individual changes as we do not have repeated measures for individuals. Although the LCF replaced the Family Expenditure Survey and the National Food Survey in 2001 there are issues with comparing data from the LCF with these other sources. For example, a new measure of expenditure is used in the LCF (see the ESDS guide to Analysing change over time for more details).