Figures released this morning show that the cost of raw materials in Britain fell sharply in June as the price of crude oil dropped.
Input prices fell 1.6% compared with May, bringing the annual rate of increase down to 3.4% from 5.3% in May.
Factory gate prices rose by 0.1% in June from May, bringing the annual rate up to 2.6%, its highest level since May 1996.
