New Inflation rates for the year to November 2023

Head Office Circular No. NP/220/23

 

To all Branches and Regional Councils

 

20^th December 2023

 

Dear Colleagues

 

New Inflation rates for the year to November 2023

 

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published[1] inflation rates for the year to November 2023. The Retail Prices Index(RPI – All Items) was 5.3%, a decrease of 0.8% on the previous month’s figure. 

 

The alternative measures of CPI and CPIH also decreased to 3.9% (-0.7%) and 4.2% (-0.5%), respectively.

 

Despite these decreases, inflationary pressure on food prices remained high at 9.1%. The ONS also released a study earlier this week which found that four in ten adults are still struggling to pay their energy bills. 

 

Your union’s policy is to use the RPI rate in all pay negotiations. Should an employer attempt to use alternative inflation measures during pay talks, please inform the National Policy department as soon as possible.

 

I would be grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of all members in your Branch.

 

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch

General Secretary

 

 

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices