Food and clothes push inflation to 4.8%

HIKES in the cost of food and clothing pushed Ireland’s rate of inflation to 4.8% last month from 4.3% in January.

According to the CSO the most significant monthly price changes were 12.7% increases in clothing and footwear, a 2.8% hike in furnishings and household equipment, and a 1.8% increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages prices.

In February alone the pint of milk was up 7.6%, cheese 3%, beef 3.5%, poultry 3%, bread 2% and breakfast cereals 4.3%.