Unemployment and inflation up

The number of unemployed on the Island went up last month, as did the rate of inflation.

At the end of December 1,159 people were registered as unemployed on the Island, representing a rate of 2.6% of the economically active population.

During the month 160 people signed on and 118 signed off, an increase of 42.

Of those signed on 807 are men and 352 are women.

Meanwhile, the annual rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) showed an increase in December.

It want up to 2.9% from a level of 2.5% in November.

Excluding housing costs, the annual rate of inflation shown by the RPI also increased, from 2.3% to 2.7%.

The annual rate of inflation shown by the Consumer Prices Index was at 1.5% in December, up from 1.2% in November.