What's the actual cost of living?
James Forsyth 12:08pmUnder the headline ‘The Real Rate of Inflation’, The Daily Mail launches its new Cost of Living Index. The idea is to show that the Consumer Price Index’s 2.5 percent rate does not reflect the actual cost of living.
The Mail finds that the price of food is up 15.5 percent, with the price of tea bags up by two-thirds for some reason. People’s gas and electricity bills are up by 12.5 and 12.9 percent respectively. Indeed, the only things that seem to be going down in price are booze and broadband.
For more on inflation see Brownie No. 1
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April 18th, 2008 12:45pm Report this commentSurely by midday the coffee house could have found time to acknowledge the passing of one of the great parliamentarians of the last 40 years.
dave, surrey
April 18th, 2008 1:10pm Report this commentIf the real rate of inflation were recognized as such, public sector workers would be entitled to a larger pay increase than the 2% or so that they get. It seems to me Brownie No.1 saves the taxpayer money.
Maggie Thatcher Fan
April 18th, 2008 1:30pm Report this commentIve just been away for a short break. When I bought my tickets well in advance)in euros, it was 1.46 to the £1
now its 1.22. everything on holiday therefore was 15 to 20% more expensive. And when I got back, diesel when I left was 1.159 per litre. now its 1.179 and in some places 1.199. thats inflation for you.
Skint!
April 18th, 2008 1:31pm Report this commentStudent loans, taken out by many who are now public sector workers being forced to accept pay deals at the government's inflation rate of around 2%, was sold to us as charging interest at the rate of inflation. What is the interest being charged this year? 4.8%.
Oscar
April 18th, 2008 4:17pm Report this commentDave, Surrey - the problem is there are far too many public sector workers. The way to give the taxpayer value for money is a cull of the quangos and the zillions wasted on consultants. Not cheating workers out of inflation linked pay rises.
THX1138
April 18th, 2008 5:24pm Report this commentWhat's the Borise No 1? - Lying to your party leader about when you cheated on your wife or lying to your Editor & readers of The Times when you made up that quote?
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