HC Deb 30 January 1989 vol 146 c72W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current weight in the retail prices index for(a) mortgage interest payments, (b) rents, (c) rates and (d) other housing costs; and what information he has to the equivalent weights in the consumer price indices for other European Community countries.

Mr. Lee

The weights (per thousand) for the components of housing used in the retail prices index are: mortgage interest payments 42, rent 33, rates 43 and other housing costs 42 (water and sewerage charges, repairs and maintenance charges, do-it-yourself materials, dwelling insurance and ground rent).

Housing costs are not similarly defined in other countries, and detailed comparisons are not possible. The weights assigned to the shelter element of housing costs in the consumer price indices of EC countries involve different coverage and concepts, and comparisons should be treated with caution. The figures are as follows:

Weights for Shelter costs in consumer price indices

Countries including owner occupiers cost and rents

Weights per 1,000
Weights
United Kingdom 75
Germany 148
Holland 164
Ireland 37
Denmark 166
Spain 127

Countries including rents only
Weights
France 69
Italy 40
Belgium 64
Greece 54