AdrianR Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 Train fares rise by 5% Gas 15%+ Electricity 10%+ Council Tax 5% Oil at higest levels, Wheat prices have doubled since the turn of the year. > > > > > Inflation 2.5% (and therefore wage rises) Sorry but i just dont get it. Anyone with a economics degree explain this in lay mans terms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 the rich get richer and the poor pay for it as usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 Believe Water charges are now going up by nearly 10%? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little fella Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 Just don?t know how we can pay these bills on a fixed income, something has to give somewhere. The councils and big companies are really taking the Mickey by putting up prices by figures that that are just dreamed up. The government is just as bad by letting them get away it and also for following their example. Where is it all going to end? People are having their assets stripped to the bone, whilst MP's bask in glory letting the country spiral down in everyway, surely this is the best way to civil unrest, looting and anarchy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 So does anyone know the answer to the original question? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 Upgrading and shareholders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little fella Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 The answer is quite simple Dont travel by train Dont travel by car or bus or any vehicle burning oil. Dont use any GAS Dont use any Electricity Dont live in a house. Have we also missed out the huge rise in food, so Dont eat. Ok what shall we enjoy next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmless loony Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 I'm going to try and explain this as simply as possible....bear with me..... In answer to your original question the government uses The CPI and the RPI to calculate the rate of inflation. The easiest way to think about both the consumer prices index (CPI) and retail prices index (RPI) is to imagine a ?shopping basket? containing the goods and services which people typically spend their money. As the prices of the various items in the basket change over time, so does the total cost of the basket. Movements in the CPI and RPI indices represent the changing cost of this representative shopping basket. The difficulty arises when the government decide to exclude certain items from the basket.....and this can lead to skewed figures..... The government's target is to keep inflation at 2% so naturally (not that I'm cynical or anything!) they will try to engineer the calculation so it is near enough (but as you can see at 2.5 the government has already over shot its own target!) The full list of goods included in the 2007 target are listed below. If any of you are bored enough you might want to produce a spreadsheet noting costs this March and compare them to next March and see how much you think inflation has risen by. But note: that the calculation isn't as simple as I have described as each item has it's own "expenditure weighting" depending on how often something is bought....eg: you will buy more bread than washing machines over the year so the calculation has to be adjusted to reflect this. Bread Large white loaves - sliced and unsliced Large wholemeal loaf Bread rolls Pitta bread Cereal Flour Rice Pasta Breakfast cereals Corn based snacks Biscuits and Cakes Plain biscuits Sponge cakes Doughnuts Pack of individually wrapped cakes Fruit pies Crackers Beef Rump steak Braising steak Mince Topside Frozen beefburgers Home-Killed Lamb Loin chops Shoulder Imported Lamb Loin chops Leg Pork Loin chops Shoulder Bacon Gammon Back Poultry Fresh / chilled chicken Fresh chicken breasts Frozen chicken breasts Fresh turkey steaks Pork sausages Cooked meats ? eg ham Meat pies Canned meats Frozen chicken nuggets Chicken kievs Fresh Fish White fish fillets Salmon fillets Frozen prawns Processed Fish Canned tuna Fish fingers Butter Home-produced and imported butter Oils and Fats Margarine / low fat spread Cooking oil Cheese Cheddar - home-produced and imported Other regional cheeses Selected speciality cheeses Cheese spread Eggs Various sized eggs Milk Full-fat, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk - shop-bought and delivered Milk Products Fresh cream Pro-biotic drink Yoghurt Fromage frais Chilled pot dessert Tea Tea bags Soft Drinks Various pure fruit juices Squashes Lemonade Cola Mineral water Various fizzy drinks ? cans and bottles Energy drinks Sugar and Preserves Sugar Various jams Sweets and Chocolates Various selected popular brands of sweets, chocolates, gum and mints Unprocessed Potatoes White loose and pre-packed potatoes ? old and new varieties Processed Potatoes Crisps - single and multi-packs Other potato-based snacks Frozen chips Fresh Vegetables Fresh tomatoes Cabbages Cauliflowers Carrots Mushrooms Onions Lettuce Cucumbers Courgettes Organic vegetable Broccoli Processed Vegetables Canned tomatoes Canned baked beans Canned sweet corn Frozen peas Fresh Fruit Cooking apples Dessert apples Pears Bananas Strawberries Grapes Oranges Grapefruit Avocado pears Peaches Kiwi fruit Organic fruit Processed Fruit Various canned fruits Salted peanuts Other Foods Soup Various sauces ? eg tomato sauce, mayonnaise, pickle Ready cooked meals Other convenience foods ? eg frozen pizza, dehydrated noodles / pasta Ice cream Baby food Coffee and Hot Drinks Ground coffee Instant coffee Catering Restaurant Meals Restaurant main course Restaurant sweet course Restaurant cup of coffee Pub hot meal Pub cold snack Burgers in bun In store cafeteria meal Fizzy drinks Fruit juice Bottled mineral water Canteen Meals Staff restaurant main course Staff restaurant dessert/pudding Staff restaurant hot snack Staff restaurant sandwich Staff restaurant soft drink Prices for school meals Take-away and Snacks Fish and chips Pasties /Savoury pies Burgers in bun Kebabs Sandwiches Coffee Tea Caffe latte Ethnic take-away Pizza delivery / takeaway Soft drinks Crisps Cinema popcorn Vending machine drink Alcoholic Drink Beer ?On? Sales Draught bitter Draught Lager Draught stout Draught cider Bottled lager Bottled cider Beer ?Off? Sales Canned lager Canned draught flow bitter Bottled cider Bottled lager Wines and Spirits ?On? Sales Whisky Vodka Wine Champagne Liqueurs Spirit based drink Mixer Wines and Spirits ?Off? Sales Whisky Vodka Brandy Bottled white wine Bottled red wine Champagne Wine purchases in boxes Fortified wine Spirit based drink Tobacco Cigarettes Selected brands Vending machine cigarettes Mentholated Other Tobacco Cigars Hand rolling tobacco Housing Rent Private furnished rent Private unfurnished rent Local authority rent Registered Social Landlord (RSL) rent Mortgage Interest Average interest payments on a typical repayment mortgage (estimated/modelled) Depreciation Depreciation costs proxy (price index for houses purchased with a mortgage) Council Tax Average council tax bills for households in Great Britain Average rates bills in Northern Ireland Water and Other Charges Average water charges Average sewerage and environmental charges Repair and Maintenance Charges Fees charged by plumbers, electricians, carpenters and decorators Gas service charges DIY Materials Ready mixed filler Wallpaper Wallpaper paste Paint Varnish Paint brush Various tools - eg hammer drill, screwdriver Aluminium ladder Door handle Taps Power point Shower head Pieces of timber Ceramic tiles Hire of domestic steam wallpaper stripper Woodscrews Dwelling Insurance and Ground Rent Dwelling insurance premiums of selected companies Ground rent proxy (price index for houses purchased with a mortgage) Fuel and Light Coal and Solid Fuels Coal Smokeless fuel Electricity Average of the electricity companies? tariffs Gas Average of the gas companies? tariffs Oil and Other Fuels Butane gas Kerosene Household Goods Furniture Dining room furniture ? eg table, chairs Bedroom furniture ? eg wardrobe, beds, wall hanging mirror Living room furniture ? eg armchair, sofa bed, leather settee, bookcase, table lamp Kitchen furniture ? various kitchen units Office furniture ? Home office desk Outdoor furniture ? eg wooden patio set Furnishings Selected carpets Other floor coverings Rug Curtains Fabric roller blind Duvet Duvet cover Bed sheet Towels Electrical Appliances Cooker ? electric Washing machine Fridge / freezer Microwave oven Dishwasher Vacuum cleaner Cordless telephone Mobile phone handsets Selected small appliances ? eg iron, kettle, fan heater, fan Personal appliances ? eg hair dryer, electric razor Other Household Equipment Cooker - gas Gas fire Kitchen equipment - eg ovenware, pans, scissors, plastic food container Tableware - eg crockery set, cutlery set Glassware - eg tumbler Household Consumables Washing powder Washing-up liquid Dishwasher tablets Light bulbs Aluminium foil Toilet rolls Kitchen roll Fabric conditioner Bin liners Household cream cleaner Bleach Ball point pen Wrapping paper Envelopes Greeting card Printer paper Inkjet cartridge Clear sticky tape Batteries Pet Care Cat and dog food ? moist and dry Small pet ? eg hamster Animal cage Vets? fees Annual booster injection Dog kennel boarding fees Household Services Postal Charges Charges for letters, parcels, postal orders Telephone Charges Fixed line telephone charges ? eg line/instrument rentals, call and operator charges Mobile phone charges ? PAYG and contract Mobile downloads Subscription to the Internet Cost of directory enquiries Domestic Services Domestic help fees In home care assistant fees Childminder fees Nanny fees Playgroup fees After school club charges Gardeners? fees Window cleaning Dry cleaning charges Driving lesson fee Home delivery charges Charge for home removals Self-storage fees Charge various electrical equipment repairs - eg washing machine, TV, PC Electrical service charges Cost of catering for a function Charge for watch repairs Fees and Subscriptions Trade unions and professional organisations subscriptions Estate agents? fees House conveyancing fees Surveyors? fee for house valuation Charge for home buyers? survey Home contents? insurance premiums Fee for birth and death certificates Marriage licences Passport fee Various bank fees ? eg overdraft charges Money transfer fees Foreign exchange commission Driving test fees Private school fees Evening classes Solicitors? fees ? including will drafting UK University tuition fees Cost of basic funeral / cremation Pet insurance Charges for advertisements in newspapers - local, national Clothing Mens? Outerwear Suit Casual Coat Trousers - formal, casual Casual jacket Fleece Jeans Jumper Various shirts Tracksuit bottoms T-shirts Shorts Replica football team shirt Branded sports sweatshirt Womens? Outwear Blouses Skirts Dresses Trousers Jeans T-shirt Tops Shorts Cardigan Jackets Casual Coat Jumper Rainwear Swimwear Childrens? Outerwear Schoolwear ? trousers, skirts Tops ? sports and fashion Jeans Jumpers/sweatshirts Jackets Babygro/sleepsuit Trousers Other Clothing Underwear ? eg pants and bra Socks Tights Nightwear ? eg nightdress/pyjamas Tie Scarf Knitting wool Footwear Shoes ? formal, school, casual and fashion Boots ? formal, fashion and outdoor/adventure Training shoes ? sportswear and casual Sandals Personal Goods and Services Personal Articles Umbrella Handbag Watch Spectacle frames Prescription lenses Contact lenses Luggage ? trolley case Flower vase Picture / photo frame Wall hanging mirror Various items of personal jewellery Chemists? Goods NHS prescription charges Multi-vitamins tablets Condoms Tampons Disposable nappies Tissues Selected medicines and surgical goods - eg indigestion tablets, pain killer tablets, packets of cold/flu drink powder, plasters Toiletries - eg toilet soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shower gel, shampoo, hair gel, permanent hair colourant, razor cartridge blades, sunscreen cream / lotion Various cosmetics - eg lipstick, face cream, perfume, mascara, liquid foundation Personal Services Hairdressing charges Full leg wax Basic manicure Dental charges Eye tests charges Dental insurance Subscriptions to private medical plans Private surgery fees Non NHS medical services ? eg physiotherapy, chiropractic medicine Residential and nursing home fees Slimming club fees Delivered flowers Motoring Expenditure Purchase of Motor Vehicles Second-hand cars Proxy for new cars New motorcycles Second-hand motorcycles Caravans Maintenance of Motor Vehicles Car service MOT test fee Roadside recovery services Car steering lock Automatic car wash Exhaust / brake fitting at fast fit auto centre Hourly labour charge for car mechanical repairs Selected spare parts and accessories - eg wiper blade, battery, tyres Petrol and Oil Ultra low sulphur petrol Ultra low sulphur diesel Motor oil Vehicle Tax and Insurance Vehicle excise duty Selection of premiums charged by a sample of motor insurance companies Fares and Other Travel Costs Rail Fares UK rail fares London Transport fares EuroTunnel fares Bus and Coach Fares Fares charged by principal bus and coach operators Other Travel Costs Taxi fares Minicab fares Self-drive car and van hire charges Various ferry and sea fares Air fares Road tolls Other means of transport - eg bicycles, boats Car park charges Leisure Goods Audio-visual Equipment Colour televisions - including flat panel large and small sizes DVD player Digital radio DVD recorder Personal MP3 player PCs ? desktop and laptop Audio systems PC peripherals Satellite navigation system CDs and Tapes Pre-recorded DVDs, including DVDs purchased over the Internet CDs, including CDs purchased over the Internet Recordable CD Selected CD-ROMs Recordable DVD Music downloads Toys, Photographic and Sports Goods Various toys, including some toys purchased over the Internet ? eg soft toys, construction toys, activity toys, dolls Board games Computer games consoles Computer games Digital camera Digital camcorder Disposable cameras Camera film Film and digital processing Acoustic guitar Child?s swing Child?s tricycle Sleeping bag Barbecue (gas) Sports equipment ? eg golf balls, squash racquet, football, fishing rod, football boots Water sports equipment ? eg windsurfing equipment Books and Newspapers Adult and childrens? fiction and non-fiction paperback and hardback books ? including some books purchased over the Internet National daily newspapers Sunday newspapers Provincial newspapers Adults' periodicals Childrens? periodicals Gardening Products Compost Selected varieties of plants, bushes, cut flowers, seeds Garden sundries - eg garden spade, gloves Lawnmowers Leisure Services TV Licences and rental Television licence fees Rentals for various types of TV DVD and video cassette recorder rental Rentals for DVD films Digital television monthly subscription fees Cable TV subscriptions Entertainment and Recreation Squash court hire Fees for leisure evening classes Charges for exercise classes Private health club / gym membership Ten-pin bowling session Horse racing admissions Golf green fees Admission to cinemas, theatres, dancing, live music, football matches, historic monuments, museums, leisure parks and other attractions, swimming pools, leisure centres Foreign Holidays Package holidays covering a range of foreign destinations, accommodation and holiday types, including late-booked holidays Holiday insurance UK Holidays Package holidays covering a range of UK destinations, accommodation and holiday types Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Noticed fags were on that list - does that mean that increased tax increases the inflation figure?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agamemnon1 Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 OOOOooooooo ! Dont that nice man Harmless Looney talk nice to us lesser mortals ? :crazy: :spin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Think she's a woman actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 HL is a woman that is in the know - she was actually trying to explain in her own way what is happening. She is quite intelligent and kind Agamemnon. You should get to know her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmless loony Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Not sure if that was a sarcastic comment or not from Agamemnon but I tried to make my post simple at Adrian's request for someone to explain the calculation in "layman's terms". So I wasn't talking down to anyone. :confused: And yes the last time I checked I was definitely female.... Not sure what your problem is though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safeway56 Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 A report on Radio 5 the other day predicted that beer taxed at inflation plus 2% plus other unpredictable costs may cost ?6.50 a pint in four years. Of course this has nothing to do with increased taxation for the Treasury but is an effort to combat binge drinking(if you believe that I've a bridge for sale you may be interested in purchasing)I used to be a Socialist but in my dotage I may be turning into a Libertarian. I'm sick and tired of the nanny state telling me how to live my life. Don't drink...don't smoke..don't drive a motor car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Is it the ghost of Anuarin Bevan I see weeping?! [ 16.03.2008, 14:24: Message edited by: observer ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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