Cost of living rises 1.3% as food, petrol prices increase

THE cost of living increased by 1.3% last year, with consumers forced to pay more for food, petrol and hairdressing in December.

The latest consumer price index from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed a rise of 0.2% in the cost of living in December.

A 1.6% increase in premiums for health insurance, a 2.3% rise in motor insurance and big hikes in petrol and diesel played big roles in driving prices higher last month.