FOI Ref: FOI/2022/4489
You asked
Would it be possible to provide the full specific list (including sizes, brand names etc) of items included in the basket for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index and/or Retail Price Index? I believe there are currently approximately 750 items reviewed monthly for the CPI.
In other words, rather than the product 'large white loaves – sliced/unsliced', would it be possible to state the exact brand, exact size (in grams) and nature (sliced/unsliced) of the loaf or loaves used for comparison.
Also, please could you provide a look-up of shop codes to the business names (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury's etc.)
We said
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the price quote data and item indices published each month on the Office for National Statistics website.
We do not disclose the retailer, or product details (brand, size or volume, or item description) for any price quote as this information could potentially influence the measures of consumer price inflation. Where sampled, the retailers will be a mix of large, multiple retailers (including convenience stores) and smaller independent retailers (with less than 10 outlets). The sampled items will meet the item description (e.g. large, unsliced white loaf, between 400g and 800g) and be representative of the products available in the sampled outlet.
The information requested regarding the retailer, product brand and item description for any price quote is exempt under Section 29(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), as the disclosure of this information would likely prejudice the financial interests of any administration in the United Kingdom by compromising the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and, by extension, inflation. The measures of consumer price inflation are used extensively to uprate benefits, pensions, contracts and agreements. Any manipulation could have an adverse effect on the prices consumers pay or the income they receive.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. Whilst we recognise arguments in favour of promoting accountability and transparency of the information held by public authorities, we feel this has been sufficiently accounted for by the information we routinely publish each month.
We also value the public interest in ensuring the stability of the UK economy. Should this be disrupted by challenge to current interest-rates, inflation, and economic policies, this would have a detrimental impact on a wide range of areas, impacting thousands of members of the public. We therefore believe it is in the greater public interest to withhold the requested information to prevent the potential harm caused by such disruption.