DIYWEEK.net

Overall figure remains unchanged from July, while furniture and furnishings prices see 1.6% increase.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual inflation remained unchanged at 3.1% in August, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The rate is well above the 2% predicted by the Bank of England and was boosted by rising air fares, clothing and food prices.

The Consumer Price Index saw a 0.5% increase between July and August this year compared with a rise of 0.4% last year. The most significant contributions to the one-month change included furniture, household equipment and maintenance. Within this category, the largest upward effect came from furniture and furnishings, where prices rose by 1.6%.

However, overall prices in the furniture, household equipment and maintenance sector rose by less than a year ago, with small downward effects coming from major household appliances, small electric goods carpets and other floor coverings.

Meanwhile, Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation slowed to 4.7% - down from the 4.8% recorded in July.