17/08/2010

Inflation Remains Above Target

The rate of inflation in the UK fell slightly in July, but remains above the government target of 2%, the latest figures have revealed.

The Consumer Prices Index, which excludes housing costs, dropped to 3.1% last month, from 3.2% in June.

The fall has been attributed to a drop in transport costs, including second-hand car and fuel prices, and falls in the price of clothes and footwear.

However, this was offset by rises in the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks.

As the figure remains over 2%, Bank of England Governor Mervyn King had to write to Chancellor George Osborne to explain why inflation remains so high. According to reports, the letter said that the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee had been "surprised" by the recent strength of inflation, but said that it was largely due to "temporary" factors, such as the return of the 17.5% VAT rise in January, past rises in oil prices and higher import prices. However, Mr King said that inflation was likely to drop back to below 2% in 2012.

Meanwhile the Retail Prices Index, which includes housing costs, fell to 4.8% last month, compared to 5% in June. These figures are used to calculate regulated rail fares for the next year - using the formula of July's RPI plus 1% - which means passengers will face rises of nearly 6% next year.

(KMcA)

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