The annual rate of inflation has dipped slightly.

The latest figure from the government shows that in May it was 1.8%. The month before it was 1.9%.

There were big rises in certain areas.

Air travel, for example, was 12.6% more expensive than a year earlier.

Postage rose 9.6%, subscriptions to the internet jumped 11.4% and wine and spirits on-sales were up 10.1%.

There was better news elsewhere.

Tea was 13.8% cheaper, eggs dropped 5% and milk was down 6.2%, according to the numbers from the consumer prices index.

Petrol and oil were 1.1% more expensive, while sea travel was 3.3% higher.