Rate of inflation up by 1 point

The rate of inflation for August stood at 2.22 per cent up by 1 point.

In August 2001, Food, Clothing and Footwear, Housing, Transport and Communications, Personal Care and Health and Other Goods and Services were monitored for Retail Price Index purposes.

The Food items index went up by 5.34 points or 4.64 per cent over the previous month. Price increases were recorded for fresh and frozen meat, bacon, ham and tinned meat, fresh and preserved fish, cheese, eggs, potatoes, fresh vegetables and confectionery. Price drops were registered in respect of chicken and rabbits and fresh fruit.

The Clothing and Footwear index went down by 6.66 points or 6.86 per cent. Lower average prices were recorded for most items in the sub-sections within the Clothing and Footwear index due to sale prices.

The Housing index increased by 0.38 points or 0.32 per cent. Average price increases were recorded in respect of a range of house maintenance items.

The Fuel, Light and Power index went up by 0.08 points or 0.08 per cent to 104.64 from 104.56 in the previous month. The Transport and Communications index also went up marginally by 0.01 points or 0.01 per cent.

An increase of 0.77 points or 0.64 per cent was recorded in the Personal Care and Health index due to average price increases in respect of a range of medicinal products that are monitored for index purposes.

The Other Goods and Services index dropped by 0.07 points or 0.07 per cent.