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E-commerce and m-commerce innovations added to government living cost calculations

Thursday, March 17, 2011 - 13:03 by Simon Crisp

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The way in which the government calculates the cost of living in the UK has now been updated to include fees which people regularly pay out for e-commerce and m-commerce services and technology.

The updated figures will now take into account smartphone costs, the apps which people use to carry out safe shopping online and the dating sites which hundreds of thousands of people pay monthly fees to in order to spice up their love life.

The digital economy is becoming much more important to the UK, according to the Guardian, with the average metaphorical shopping basket relying much more on e-commerce and m-commerce than ever before.

Although the economic hardship which many are experiencing as a result of government cuts and the recession might have implied a more austere buying pattern among consumers, the inclusion of sparkling wine as part of the living cost considerations, implies that people are still looking to indulge themselves and have a good time.

Of course these new additions related to safe shopping online have usurped some common items which are falling out of favour with UK consumers. Cigarette vending machine costs and the price of pork shoulder joints have been excluded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in its latest calculations, indicating shifting consumer trends.

ONS spokesperson, Phil Gooding, commented on the manner in which technology was altering the way we live our lives and spend our hard earned cash in the UK. Smartphones which enable mobile purchasing and enhanced communication are a staple purchase for consumers and those looking for love on dating sites are also contributing more significantly to the economy, via subscriptions, according to Mr Gooding.

With over 180,000 prices for the list of common products collected monthly, the ONS is able to get a very accurate overview of how much it costs to live in modern Britain.