15/02/2005

No change in rate of inflation

Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has remained steady at 1.6% last month, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS said that transport costs and petrol and diesel prices had fallen in January, which contrasted with small rises recorded last year. Seasonal falls in airfares were also reported to be greater in January than a year earlier.

The CPI was also affected by deeper furniture price cuts, as well as larger price cuts in the clothing and footwear market than the same period last year.

However, there were also a number of upward pressures on the CPI, including rising household energy costs and supply shortages for several seasonal food items, which led to higher prices last month. Other large upward effects also came from financial services, recreation and culture.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate fell from 3.5% to 3.2% last month, due to similar factors, although coverage, expenditure weights and some methodological differences resulted in an overall downward effect on the RPI annual rate. Inflation in most housing costs – which are not included in the CPI – fell, mainly due to depreciation. House prices used in its calculation were broadly unchanged this year, but increased last year.

Excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX) was 2.1% in January, a fall from 2.5% the previous month.

(KMcA/SP)

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