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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Yoga mats and VR headsets added to inflation basket | Yoga mats and VR headsets added to inflation basket |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| Yoga mats are in, while modern technology also gets a new representation | Yoga mats are in, while modern technology also gets a new representation |
| Some may use yoga mats and virtual reality headsets to mentally escape the daily grind but now statisticians are using them to chart the rising cost of living. | Some may use yoga mats and virtual reality headsets to mentally escape the daily grind but now statisticians are using them to chart the rising cost of living. |
| Both items have made their way into the basket of goods and services used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to calculate inflation. | Both items have made their way into the basket of goods and services used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to calculate inflation. |
| The basket contains 752 items. The ONS collects the costs of these products and services across many different retailers to come up with the monthly inflation figures. | The basket contains 752 items. The ONS collects the costs of these products and services across many different retailers to come up with the monthly inflation figures. |
| That figure, currently showing prices rising at 3% a year, is a crucial economic measure which influences the cost of borrowing - interest rates - as well as rises in benefits and pensions or to form part of pay negotiations. | That figure, currently showing prices rising at 3% a year, is a crucial economic measure which influences the cost of borrowing - interest rates - as well as rises in benefits and pensions or to form part of pay negotiations. |
| Changes reflect our lifestyle | Changes reflect our lifestyle |
| The contents of this huge basket of goods and services is reviewed every year to ensure it gives an accurate cross-section and weighting of our spending data. | The contents of this huge basket of goods and services is reviewed every year to ensure it gives an accurate cross-section and weighting of our spending data. |
| But what is added or removed each time also gives us a fascinating insight into our changing tastes, trends and lifestyles. | But what is added or removed each time also gives us a fascinating insight into our changing tastes, trends and lifestyles. |
| For example, wild rabbit was one item included in the first list of 1947. Tea bags only made it in by 1980. | For example, wild rabbit was one item included in the first list of 1947. Tea bags only made it in by 1980. |
| This time around, 23 items have been added and 15 removed from the basket. | This time around, 23 items have been added and 15 removed from the basket. |
| Stephen Burgess, from the ONS, said: "Our inflation basket of goods shows how consumer spending has evolved over the years. | Stephen Burgess, from the ONS, said: "Our inflation basket of goods shows how consumer spending has evolved over the years. |
| "The addition of virtual reality headsets for the first time shows our appetite for emerging technology. Yoga mats also limber up as a new addition due to their increased popularity since the pandemic." | "The addition of virtual reality headsets for the first time shows our appetite for emerging technology. Yoga mats also limber up as a new addition due to their increased popularity since the pandemic." |
| The ONS said spending on VR headsets was expected to rise from about £347m last year to £520m by 2029. | The ONS said spending on VR headsets was expected to rise from about £347m last year to £520m by 2029. |
| Meanwhile, exercise mats were not only used for yoga, but also for other types of home workouts. | Meanwhile, exercise mats were not only used for yoga, but also for other types of home workouts. |
| Men's sliders, or pool sandals, have also been added. Pulled pork has also substituted an oven-ready gammon joint. | Men's sliders, or pool sandals, have also been added. Pulled pork has also substituted an oven-ready gammon joint. |
| Mango is an addition to the selection of fruit, and cushions are in to bolster the underrepresented area of soft lounge furnishings. | Mango is an addition to the selection of fruit, and cushions are in to bolster the underrepresented area of soft lounge furnishings. |
| On the other side of the ledger, a reflection of the falling circulation and prominence of newspapers means adverts in the local rag have been removed. | On the other side of the ledger, a reflection of the falling circulation and prominence of newspapers means adverts in the local rag have been removed. |
| The ONS said anecdotal evidence suggestion many of these pitches were now found on online platforms instead. | The ONS said anecdotal evidence suggestion many of these pitches were now found on online platforms instead. |
| Last year, vinyl records returned following a 30-year absence. Air fryers were also added, but hand sanitiser - a must-have of the Covid years - was taken out. | Last year, vinyl records returned following a 30-year absence. Air fryers were also added, but hand sanitiser - a must-have of the Covid years - was taken out. |