The DTI published an international price survey which indicates that claims about “rip-off Britain” are not justified. The comparison took 56 popular consumer items and compared their UK prices with those of the US, France and Germany.
Just eight items were the most expensive in the UK. These were Sega Dreamcast, top ten CDs, two-litre Coca-Cola, tinned dog food, lager, shampoo, ground coffee and toilet paper. Three items were the cheapest in the UK, namely Kelloggs cornflakes, Choc Chip cookies and a long-sleeved man’s shirt.
The report showed some huge differences. Sega Dreamcast cost £200.12 in the UK but £132.26 in the US. In contrast, an 800 gram sliced loaf of bread costs 57p in the UK but £1.54 in the US.
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