Labour Research (May 2004)

Pay and prices

Non-mortgage costs fall

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), the government's preferred inflation measure, fell to 1.1% in March from 1.3% the previous month. Cheaper transport including lower air fares helped with the fall.

However, inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index was up. It rose to 2.6% in March from 2.5% the previous month. The increase was mainly due to higher mortgage interest payments, which are not included in the CPI.


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