Rent and fuel costs rise sharply

The cost of renting climbed more than 5% in November from a year earlier and the cost of home heating and electricity, petrol and diesel also rose sharply, according to CSO figures.

Its consumer price index showed overall inflation is rising by a meagre 0.5%. Private rents were up 5.6% in November compared to the same month in 2016, while local authority rents increased by 6.5%.