Travel costs continue to rise

Flights, ferries key causes of inflation

Inflation held steady in the Isle of Man last month.

Following a 0.6% increase in February, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stayed at 4.4% in March.

But Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation grew to 7.5% for the same period.

Traveling on and off the Island remains the biggest area for price increases.

In the twelve months leading to March, the cost of sea travel went up by a fifth (19.9%), and air fares by a third (32.9%).

Internet bills (-6.9%), home electricals (-5.8%) and dairy products (-4%) all fell modestly in price over the period, though.

Government's preferred new way of measuring RPI - using the 'Jevons' index - placed inflation at a more modest 3.5% in March.