date: 16 September 2008

embargo: for immediate release

TUC comment on latest inflation figures

Commenting on the latest inflation figures, TUC Head of Economics and Social Affairs Adam Lent said:

'The fall in RPI - the measure used to set pay - should calm fears at the Bank of England that inflation could turn into a wage-price spiral. This, along with the calamitous news from Wall Street, makes the case for an interest rate cut this month even stronger.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 4.7 per cent in August, up from 4.4 per cent in July. The Retail Price Index (RPI) fell to 4.8 per cent in August, down from 5 per cent in July. All figures are from the Office for national Statistics (ONS) and can be found at www.statistics.gov.uk

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 16 Sep 2008