The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices rose by 2.5 per cent to 103.04 in April 2007 mainly on account of the Restaurants and Hotels Index rising by 11.3 per cent, with the rate of inflation standing at 1.8 per cent, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday.

The Clothing and Footwear Index increased by 5.1 per cent due to higher prices of garments. Higher prices paid for private tuition were the main cause of an increase of 4.1 per cent in the Education Index.

The Recreation and Culture Index increased by 0.8 per cent due to higher prices registered in package holidays. Higher prices for the maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment and passenger transport by road and air were the main cause of an increase of 0.2 per cent in the Transport Index. Likewise, the Furniture Index registered an increase of 0.2 per cent mainly due to price increases in carpets and floor coverings, household textiles, glassware and tableware and non-durable household goods. Other increases were registered in the Food and Beverages sections.

A marginal decrease was registered in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index.

In April, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 1.8 per cent while that of March stood at 2.2 per cent.