Lords to debate Economic Affairs Committee’s ‘Measuring Inflation’ report

On Monday 1 July 2019 members of the House of Lords will debate the Economic Affairs Committee’s report, Measuring Inflation, which was published in January 2019.

The report considers the future of the retail price index (RPI) and its use by the Government. 

It found that the UK Statistics Authority is at risk of being in breach of its statutory duties on the publication of statistics, by refusing to correct an error that it openly admits exists in the Retail Prices Index (RPI). 

The report calls for the Authority to follow the procedure for correcting the error and resume a programme of regular methodological improvements. It also recommends a single measure of general inflation for use by the Government.

Neither the Treasury nor the UK Statistics Authority have yet responded to the report.

The debate will be opened in the House of Lords Chamber by the Committee’s Chairman, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean. 

Members scheduled to speak include Baroness Browning, Lord Davies of Oldham, Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court, Lord Sharkey, Lord Suri, and Lord Turnbull.  

Lord Young of Cookham will respond on behalf of the Government.

The debate is expected to start at some point after 3pm on Monday 1 July 2019.
 

Notes to Editors

1. Members of the media and public are welcome to attend.
2. The debate can be watched live at https://parliamentlive.tv and a transcript will be available approximately three hours from the start of the debate on Hansard.
3. A full list of speakers to date can be found at www.lordswhips.org.uk. A list in the order in which Members will speak will be available on the day.