UK CPIH basket weight: food and non-alcoholic drinks
UK CPIH basket weight: food and non-alcoholic drinks stood at 86.58 parts per 1000 in 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Consumer price index weights table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1988 to 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Consumer price index weights table
| Indicator | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPIH basket, all items | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| CPIH weight by division | |||||||||||
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 86.58 | 90.19 | 91.33 | 96 | 93 | 89 | 79 | 82 | 83 | 81 |
Understanding UK CPIH basket weight: food and non-alcoholic drinks
This series measures the proportional weight assigned to nutritional purchases, non-alcoholic beverages, and hot or cold soft drinks within the housing-inclusive consumer price framework for the United Kingdom. It isolates grocery spending within an index that explicitly incorporates owner occupiers' housing costs and council tax into its overall denominator. Consequently, the proportional share recorded here is systematically adjusted downwards compared to standard baskets because of the inclusion of large housing expenditures.
When evaluating this food component, analysts must focus on how structural shifts in household grocery budgets interact with broader housing-cost pressures over successive annual updates. Short-term nutritional price movements must be analysed alongside housing inflation to understand overall living cost dynamics. Researchers comparing this division with standard index counterparts should account for the denominator effect caused by the inclusion of shelter costs.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the weight for food different here compared to the standard index?
- The addition of owner occupiers' housing costs expands the total basket, resulting in a slightly smaller proportional weight for food.
- Does this category include catering or restaurant meals?
- No, catering services remain classified under hospitality divisions.
- How often are these nutritional expenditure weights revised?
- The proportional allocation is updated annually based on comprehensive household expenditure surveys across the United Kingdom.