Labour Research July 2007

News

Inflation kept down by low utility bills

Another month of cheaper gas and electricity prices have again helped cut inflation. In May, the Retail Prices Index rose by 4.3% - down from 4.5% the previous month. Meanwhile, inflation under the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which excludes housing costs and is the government's preferred measure, fell to 2.5% in May - down from 2.8% the previous month with cheaper energy prices again contributing to the drop.