The basket is updated annually to ensure it is representative of consumer spending patterns. High-tech goods, such as MP3 players, digital camcorders and flat-panel TVs, have all been added.
Champagne for home consumption has also been included, while imported sparkling wine, muesli and chicken thighs have all been removed.
The ONS said: 'Changes to the basket should not be taken to represent a change in popularity of goods that are added or dropped. They will reflect evolving consumer tastes, but only over a long run of years. Changes in any particular year reflect a range of considerations, such as practical experience in collecting prices.'
Every month the ONS collects about 120,000 prices, covering 650 goods and services, measuring the change in price to calculate the Consumer Prices index (CPI) and the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The Bank of England uses the CPI as its inflation target and the RTI is used to determine many state benefits.
Inflation data for February based on the new basket will be released tomorrow.
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