Inflation stayed steady last month.

The annual rate of Inflation as measured by the consumer price index remained unchanged from February at 4.4%.

Biggest contributor to inflation was transportation costs, which accounted for 1.6% of the overall rate.

Cost of air travel was the most significant contributor within this category, followed by sea travel. But the cost of petrol and diesel has slightly fallen over the same period.

The cost of eating out has continued to rise, alongside the cost of rent and heating oil compared to 12 months ago. These both contributed 0.6% to the overall rate.

While prices in all categories, with the exception of clothing and footwear, have increased compared with 12 months ago, the rate of increase in a number of the categories has slowed.

Inflation as measured by the retail price index rose by 1.2% to 7.5% in March. From this month, there will be a change in the way in which RPI is calculated.