New Inflation Rates

Head Office Circular No. NP/039/13

To the Secretary all Branches,
Council of Executive members,
Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Tuesday 12th February 2013

Dear Colleagues,

New Inflation Rates

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to January 2013.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) stood at 3.3% for the year to January 2013, up 0.2% from the 3.1% figure to December 2012.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 2.7% for the year to January 2013, unchanged from the figure to December 2012.

According to the ONS, the rise in the price of seasonal food was the biggest contributor to the increase in the RPI rate to January 2013. The CPI rate remains unchanged for the fourth consecutive month, mainly due to post-Christmas increases in the price of alcohol and air fares being offset by a fall in the price of miscellaneous goods and services and the continued fall in prices for clothing and footwear.

RMT pay submissions will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a greater rate than inflation and that your living standards are undermined by this disparity.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary