In November 2003 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published estimates of regional price level comparisons.
The 2003 estimates were a partial update of a previous exercise relating to 2000, using price data collected for the Retail Prices Index supplemented by a special regional price levels survey. A survey of regional price levels was not possible in 2003 because of time constraints so in the many cases where prices were not available direct from the RPI they were simply carried forward from the special survey conducted in 2000.
Regional price level surveys were considered in the Allsopp Review of Statistics for Economic Policymaking (the final report was published in March 2004). The approach taken in both the 2003 and 2004 regional price surveys was supported by the Review.
Published in web format: 14 February 2005 at 9:30 am