Changes to inflation's shopping basket
Coffee pods from the likes of Nespresso and cream liqueurs, such as Baileys, are in and nightclub entry fees are out.
Each March, the Office for National Statistics updates the basket of goods and services used to calculate Britain’s various rates of inflation, such as the RPI and CPI, as part of a process of continual improvement and to ensure that it is representative of consumer spending patterns. This year, 14 items have been added to the basket and 14 removed.
In recent years, developments in technology have influenced the basket updates and in 2016 two products have been introduced that can be seen as reflecting evolving trends. Computer software has replaced CD ROMs, while a computer game downloads are a new item to the basket.
The 14 new items also include six food-related items: microwave rice in a pouch or tray; meat-based snack; cooked sliced chicken or turkey; a large chocolate bar; and in the restaurants and cafe subsection a restaurant main course replaces main course of meat/fish and vegetarian dishes.
In clothing, women’s leggings and a boy’s T shirt have been added.
Gloss/emulsion paint is the final addition, with the amalgamation of these two separate items.
Food items for the chop include organic dessert apples and organic carrots, along with a pub hot or cold snack.
The rewritable DVD joins CD ROMs in the dustbin of prices history, as do prescription lenses and an electric power point.