14/09/2004

Weaker clothing prices help drive down inflation

Clothing and footwear prices have helped to drive down inflation 0.1% to 1.3% for last month, according to Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures released today.

The main downward influence on consumer price inflation (CPI), the government's preferred method of calculating inflation, came from adults' and children's clothing which experienced weaker price recoveries and more special offers than a year ago.

In addition, less replacement stock came in at higher prices this year.

A further downward influence on the inflation rate came from recreation and culture, in particular from toys, where prices rose by less than last year. A smaller downward effect came from computer games and consoles. Partially offsetting upward effects came from changes in the cost of personal computers, theatre admissions, and foreign holidays.

Other downward effects came from food, mainly due to vegetables which fell in price this August compared with a small rise last year, and from personal care products.

A small upward influence on the inflation rate came from furniture and household goods, where prices rose by more than a year ago.

However, the retail price index (RPI) inflation rate increased to 3.2% in August, up from 3% in July.

This was mainly due to mortgage interest payments (not included in the CPI) rising this year, as a result of a continued increase in the average mortgage debt, but falling a year ago following a cut in the base rate. Other factors impacting on the RPI inflation rate were broadly similar to the CPI.

Overall, the average inflation rate for the EU's 25-state community in July was provisionally 2.2%, compared with 1.4 per cent in the UK.

(gmcg/mb)

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