UK inflation rate starts to rise

17 Novembre 2009 à 18:18

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) climbed to 1.5% in October, up from 1.1% in September.

Meanwhile the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure, which includes mortgage interest payments and housing costs, rose to -0.8% from -1.4%.

Inflation accelerated mainly because fuel prices fell by a lot less than they did in the same period a year ago.

Record rises

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said fuel costs fell by just 0.7% between September and October, compared with a record 6.1% fall last year.

That fall was caused by a dramatic slide in the price of oil.

rices of second-hand cars, which rose at the fastest rate on record, also contributed to the inflation rise in October, the ONS said.

It also said rising prices of recording devices, games and toys helped to push inflation up.

Cuts in the cost of banking services, particularly overdraft charges and mortgage arrangement fees, helped to offset some of the price rises.

The rise in the RPI - the biggest monthly rise since 1990 - was due in part to the fact that house prices are currently rising, but were falling last year.