UK tea habits revealed ahead of nation’s biggest tea break – and South West most offended by putting the milk in first

Embargoed until 00.01 Tuesday 5th July 2022

Research from NHS Charities Together has revealed our nation’s weird and wonderful tea drinking habits, as thousands are expected to gather for the UK’s biggest tea break and celebrate the NHS’ birthday today with the NHS Big Tea.

In the survey of over 2,000 people, the South West were most offended by anyone choosing to put the milk in first, with four in 10 (41%) deeming the habit ‘unacceptable’.

Preferred tea rituals in the South West include using a favourite cup or mug (58%), having something to eat alongside your cuppa (30%), and putting sugar or sweetener in first (25%). The South West is the highest region in the UK to warm their mug, cup or pot before pouring, with over one in 10 (11%) incorporating this into their routine.

The UK’s biggest tea break, the NHS Big Tea invites everyone – whatever your quirks* – to raise a mug and support the NHS by hosting a tea party for the NHS’ birthday. Turning 74 today, thousands are expected to take part in the celebration and raise vital funds in support of NHS charities.

All funds raised from the NHS Big Tea will contribute to key projects supporting staff mental health and the long-term recovery of the NHS following the Covid-19 pandemic, plus community partnership programmes that prevent ill health and will take pressure off services in the future.

Working with the network of 238 NHS charities across the UK, NHS Charities Together take great care to ensure funds go where they are needed most, getting public support right to the heart of where it’s most effective and can take pressure off local services. To date the charity has allocated more than £140 million of grant funding, with total grants of over £8 awarded across the South West.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together said: “Although these statistics show differences in how we all prefer our favourite drink, we do have one thing in common – our gratitude for the NHS. NHS staff wow us all, with almost three quarters of us calling staff ‘inspiring’2. As the national, independent charity caring for the NHS, with the public’s help we are proud to have funded hundreds of incredible projects supporting staff, patients, and communities across the UK.

“Taking place on the NHS’ birthday, we’re excited to see everyone out celebrating today and raising funds to help the UK’s NHS charities. By getting behind the NHS Big Tea, we can all make an important difference to the vital work they fund, and help the health service go further for all of us.”

To sign up to host your own NHS Big Tea event and receive a fundraising support pack, please visit www.nhsbigtea.co.uk.

* Elsewhere in the UK:

• Wales take the highest number of tea breaks – with over three-quarters (76%) likely to have a regular tea break as part of their routine
• Despite being the home of the cup of tea, Yorkshire took the least number of tea breaks, at only just over half (52%)
• Londoners are most likely to leave the teabag in when drinking (10%) – something 55% of East Midlands residents deem ‘unacceptable’
• The North East are most likely to reach for the biscuit tin – nearly half (48%) have a snack with their tea
• People in the West Midlands were most likely to save the washing up and reuse the same spoon throughout the day – with a third (33%) admitting to the habit
• For nearly half the South East (44%) reusing the teabag is unacceptable