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ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner reports that alcoholic drinks prices have risen:

“Inflation eased in February. Clothing prices, particularly for women’s clothes, was the biggest driver for this month’s fall.

“This was only partially offset by small increases, for example, from alcoholic drinks.”

The easing in the annual rate was mainly the result of a large downward effect from garments for women, with small downward effects coming from a range of women’s clothing items.

There were additional small downward effects from children’s clothing, and other clothing and clothing accessories, such as hats and women’s scarves.