Inflation in Bermuda has slipped back from an 8-month high and stood at 3.1 percent at the end of April, compared to a month earlier when it had been 3.5 percent.

Between the two months the average cost of goods and services on the Island edged 0.4 percent higher. A basket of goods and services bought in April 2006 for $100 would now cost $103.10.

A year-on-year analysis shows a 4.3 percent increase in rents for controlled properties, while non-rent controlled properties went up by 2.6 percent.

Food prices were 3.8 percent higher than a year ago, while health and personal care items were seven percent more expensive. The monthly picture shows that in the transport and vehicles sector prices fell 3.4 percent, with one factor being lower average airfares from major airlines.

Health and personal care items rose by five percent as health insurance premiums went up and ladies hairstyling costs also increased.

Rents edged up 0.1 percent, mostly as a result of changes in the rent-controlled sector, while food prices also went up 0.6 percent with frozen dinners up 5.6 percent, eggs up 2.7 percent and cereal up one percent.

An increase in the hourly rate for household services such as domestic cleaning, contributed to a 1.6 percent advance in prices for household goods, services and communications.

By comparison, the April inflation rate in the UK was 4.5 percent, while in the US it was 2.6 and in Canada 2.2.