19/04/2005

ONS reports inflation rate rise

The rate of inflation in the UK rose to 1.9% last month, a jump from 1.6% in February, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported.

The ONS said that the rate had risen because of stronger price increases for transport, food, furniture and clothing.

Transport prices had the most effect on the inflation rate, with an increase in air fares last month, compared to a fall last year. However, the ONS said that the price collection period this year included the early Easter holidays.

Food also had an effect, mainly due to price increases in milk and vegetables, where supply shortages were reported for some fresh produce.

The ONS also reported stronger seasonal price recoveries this year on furniture and clothing, following the traditional January sale period, which also lead to upward pressure on the inflation rate.

Offsetting the rise was a drop in wine prices, due to sales, as well as weaker price increases in beer sold in licensed premises.

The ONS reported that the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation, which takes mortgage interest repayments into account, was influenced by similar factors. However, a large downward effect from those housing costs that are excluded from the Consumer Price Index (CPI), left the RPI annual rate of inflation unchanged last month at 3.2%. The ONS attributed this to mortgage interest repayments, which rose by much less than a year ago, when lenders passed on the February 2004 increase in basic rates.

(KMcA/GB)


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