Bird seeds, flavoured milk and Netflix added to inflation basket
NETFLIX and flavoured milk have been added to the basket of goods used to calculate consumer price inflation, shedding light on the way that the UK’s spending patterns and habits have evolved.
With technological developments, online video streaming has become increasingly popular with the provision of services like Netflix. This has been added to the basket, replacing DVD rental internet services like Lovefilm. DVD recorders have also been dropped from the list. Digital cameras with interchangeable lenses will also be included for the first time.
In total, the Office for National Statistics has stripped out nine items and added 14 new ones. Fresh fruit snacking pots and flavoured milk have been added to the index, along with honey and mixer drinks.
Canvas fashion shoes like espadrilles and male apparel hire were also added.
Household flooring options have also changed: tufted carpets have been divided into a premium and basic option, while hardwood flooring has been removed.
The ONS has also decided to drop both charges for after-school clubs and gardeners’ fees, making way for wild bird seed and plant food.
THE NEW INFLATION BASKET
ITEMS INCLUDED AND REMOVED FROM THE OFFICIAL BASKET OF GOODS USED TO MEASURE INFLATION
ITEMS IN
Video streaming services (like Netflix)
Honey
Flavoured milk
Men's clothing hire
Wild bird seed
Canvas fashion shoes
ITEMS OUT
Take-away coffee (still covered by take-away latte)
Tufted carpets
DVD rental internet subscriptions
Hardwood flooring
Gardeners' fees