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Metaverse headsets, yoga mats and pulled pork added to UK inflation shopping basket

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In a yearly update to the basket of items the Office for National Statistics (ONS) uses to calculate UK price rises, pulled pork, virtual reality (VR) headsets and yoga mats have been added to the calculation, while local newspaper adverts and DVD rental prices have been taken out.

The virtual basket contains over 700 carefully selected items representative of the goods and services that consumers typically spend their money on.

The inflation basket is updated once a year by the ONS to take account of the changing tastes and habits of UK consumers and to ensure the official yardstick of the cost of living is as accurate as possible. This year, VR headsets make their way into the basket for the first time.

“As a rapidly emerging technology, we have seen growing expenditure on this item, which is expected to continue,” the ONS said.

Changes over the past few years have reflected the impact of the COVID pandemic, including the addition of casual loungewear and hand sanitiser in previous years, and the exit of men’s suits.

This year, the ONS added a yoga mat to widen the range of sports items within the basket. From home workouts during the pandemic to organised exercise classes now, the use of such mats has increased considerably.

A culinary change to the basket of goods sees the oven-ready gammon joint make way for pulled pork. Oven-ready meat joints have fallen in popularity as consumers choose more convenient items, with pulled pork reflecting that trend, the ONS said.

“The desire for convenience amidst our busy lifestyles also plays a part in this year’s basket changes. Consumers are choosing easier options in the kitchen, so oven-ready gammon joints make way for the quicker choice of pulled pork,” said ONS deputy director for prices Stephen Burgess.

“Men’s slider sandals step into the basket as a rapidly growing part of the male footwear market, while yoga mats also limber up as a new addition due to their increased popularity since the pandemic.”

Last year, air fryers made it into the basket, alongside rice cakes, spray oil, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and packaged salad.

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