Inflation rose to 0.7 percent in October.

The Consumer Price Index report was released by the Department of Statistics this afternoon.

It showed only a marginal increase from September’s 35-year low of 0.2 percent.

“Between September 2009 and October 2009, the average cost of goods and services in the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.5 percent,” the report stated. “The all-items index rose from 111.5 index points to 112.1 in October. This means that the basket of goods and services that cost $100 in April 2006 now cost $112.10.

“The health and personal care sector was the largest contributor to the 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index, overtaking the food sector, which had been the lead contributor for the past ten months. On average, the cost of health and personal care items increased 7.3 percent year over year.”

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.