Doughnuts
(Picture: Getty Images)Doughnuts have been thrown out and meat-free sausages added to the official basket of goods used to calculate the rate of inflation, in a reflection of increasingly health-conscious British lifestyles.
The annual rejig of the collection of around 730 consumer products and services also saw the addition of canned pulses because of the “growth in vegetarianism and veganism... being driven by the younger generations as a result of growing social responsibility and health awareness.”
The rise in spending on fitness — accelerated by home working during the pandemic — is marked by the inclusion of sports bras and a climbing wall session for the first time.
The impact of Covid on spending is seen in the decision by Government statisticians to drop the men’s suit from the basket. It will be replaced by a formal jacket or blazer.
The Office for National Statistics said this was because of “a decline in expenditure on formal suits” with purchases falling to two million per year in 2020.
Additionally, some retailers have withdrawn suits from their stores.
Covid-era lifestyles are also reflected in the addition of antibacterial surface wipes and a pet collar for a dog or cat. The ONS said: “This item has been added to reflect the growth in pet accessories linked to the increase in pet ownership more generally during the pandemic.”
Coal for domestic use has been removed from the basket for the first time since it began being compiled in 1947, ahead of a ban next year.
In another sign of the changing times reference books such as an atlas or dictionary have also been taken out as “the rise of the internet has seen the need for reference books fall, all age groups are resorting to electronic maps to plan journeys etc while dictionary and thesaurus apps are available.”
The basket is updated every year to reflect shifts in consumer spending patterns. It came under fire in January from food writer and activist Jack Monroe for not accurately tracking spikes in the cost of some budget food items.
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer markets at consultants KPMG, said: “The refresh of the basket of goods reflects the point we’ve now reached in the pandemic... sportswear for a return to gyms, new post-lockdown sporting passions, a booming UK pet population, and anti-bacterial products”. She said “significant challenges” lie ahead as households try to balance their budgets.
