Consultation on the Retail Prices Index (RPI)

Dear Lord Forsyth,

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has written to you about the timing of the consultation on changes to the Retail Prices Index (RPI) that was announced on 4 September 2019. The consultation arises from the UK Statistics Authority’s proposal to address the shortcomings of RPI by bringing the methods of the CPIH measure of inflation into it.

In my letter to the Chancellor of 4 September I said that the Authority would be consulting on the technical method of making that change to the RPI. Our consultation will be undertaken jointly with that of HM Treasury.

I am copying this letter to the Chancellor and to the clerks of the Treasury Committee and the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Yours sincerely,

Sir David Norgrove

 

Related Links:

Letter from Sajid Javid to Lord Forsyth on the launch date of the upcoming joint consultation on the Retail Prices Index (January 2020)

Sir David Norgrove to Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer (September 2019)

‘UK Statistics Authority Statement on the future of the RPI’ (September 2019)

Letter to Lord Forsyth on Lords’ Economic Affairs Committee’s report “Measuring Inflation”

Dear Lord Forsyth,

As the National Statistician explained last month, the UK Statistics Authority was grateful to receive the Committee’s report on measuring inflation. Together with the Office for National Statistics, we have considered the Committee’s findings and recommendations carefully.

I have seen the Chancellor’s letter to you of earlier today.  As he said, the Government and the UK Statistics Authority continue to discuss the issues raised by the Committee. We will respond to the Committee as soon as is practicable.

I am copying this letter to the Chancellor and to the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Yours sincerely

Sir David Norgrove

 

Related Links:

Letter from Philip Hammond to Lord Forsyth on the Committee’s report “Measuring Inflation”