11th November 2012, 06:11 PM
If Digger's explanation is correct (I don't doubt it, but I'm too lazy to verify the removal of utilities from the inflation "basket") then the 2.2 or 2.9 figures are artificially low through the age-old trick of ignoring evidence, so perhaps a rise of 5% might be more realistic to maintain the true status quo? Of course the profit margins for owners/shareholders would be slightly diminished...