Slight drop in inflation

A further slight fall across all inflation measures in the year to December had very little impact on the rate at which the cost of living is rising.

The latest figures are: Retail Prices Index 13.4% (RPI — preferred by trade unions), Consumer Prices Index 10.5%, and CPI with a housing element 9.2% (CPIH).

Downward influences included motor fuels, clothing and footwear, recreation and culture.