British government statisticians regularly review their selection of the 650 products and services which are priced each month and used to calculate the Retail Price Index. Their decisions are based upon an annual review of consumer tastes and spending and are intended to ensure that the selections are representative of actual consumer purchases.
The inclusion of green fees for the first time reflects changing leisure patterns. Other leisure activities to be included are horseracing admissions and slimming clubs. Out of the list go frozen fish in sauce, brown ale and women’s petticoats to be replaced by takeaway cafà© latte, draught premium lager and designer spectacles.
National Statistics Office www.statistics.gov.uk