Inflation's basket of goods updated

Each March, the Office for National Statistics updates the basket of goods and services used to calculate Britain’s rate of inflation as part of a process of continual improvement and to ensure that it is representative of consumer spending patterns.

In total, 14 items have been added to the basket and nine items have been removed this year.

As in most years, developments in technology influence the basket updates and in 2014 two products have been introduced that can be seen as reflecting evolving trends. Firstly, DVD rental/video on demand subscription services, such as Netflix, are included, replacing a DVD rental internet subscription item. And the digital single lens reflex camera replaces the compact digital camera.

The 14 new items also include flavoured milk, fresh fruit snacking pots, honey, mixer drinks, canvas shoes, manual and automatic car washes, plant food, wild bird seed, and fashion necklaces.

Among the nine items that drop out are: wallpaper paste, hardwood flooring, gardeners’ fees, takeaway coffee and charges for after-school clubs.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/cpi-rpi-basket/2014/index.html