WE all know that the inflation rate in September determines the rise in State Pension and other benefits.

Last year, (in spite of the Government shaving over 1% off the increase by using CPI instead if RPI) the rise was a respectable 5%, costing a begrudging Government many millions more than it would have liked to have spent.

Then what a surprise, when this year the rate of inflation in September is the lowest all year, at about 2%….so saving the Government a fortune at the pensioners’ expense.

How strange to have seen inflation falling, yet food, fuel, gas and electricity prices steadily rising! Call me cynical if you like, but I get a whiff of Government figure fixing behind the scenes. Mark my words….when September is done, the rate of inflation will be rapidly on the rise again.

Jim Cunliffe, West Park