Inflation Falls To 3.1%

CPI annual inflation fell last month to 3.1% from 3.2% in June. Second-hand cars and fuel were the main downward factors between June and July but as in June there were downward contributions from clothing and footwear and additionally from recreation and culture. Upward pressure came from food and non-alcoholic beverages and furniture and household goods. The index stood at 114.3 down from 114.6 in May (2005=100).

Quarterly World Merchandise Trade

There was a change of 27.2% in exports in world merchandise trade in the first quarter of 2010 and a change of 24.2% in imports according to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) quarterly world merchandise statistics recent release. It compares with 3.8% in imports and -0.9% in exports for Q4 2010 and -31% and -29.9% respectively for Q1 2009.

An Increase In European Inflation In July

Euro area inflation (MUICP) was 1.7% in July 2010 comapred with 1.4% in June and EU annual inflation (EICP) was 2.1% compared with 1.9% in June. The lowest rates were in Ireland (-1.2%), Latvia (-0.7%) and Slovakia (1%) and the highest were in Romania (7.1%), Greece (5.5%) and Hungary (3.6%).

Growth In SME Orders Expected To Fall

Smaller companies have seen production growth in the three months leading to the latest CBI SME survey due to stronger domestic and overseas demand and rebuilding stocks of goods. The total volume of new orders has grown over the quarter and exports were particularly strong. Weaker demand over the next quarter could cause it to stall as expected orders fall.

Employment In EU27 Is 64.6% In 2009

Data from the 2009 Labour Force Survey published by Eurostat show that the employment rate for people aged 15-64 fell to 64.6% in the EU27 in 2009 from 65.9% in 2008 after rising steadily from 62.4% in 2002. The rate for women fell for the first time since 2000 to 58.6% from 59.1% in 2008. the 55-64 age group increased again to 46% from 36.9% in 2000 and 45.6% in 2008.

Farm Land Birds In England

Farmland bird populations declined between 2008 and 2009. The unsmoothed index showed a decline of 5% for England and the smoothed index showed a decline of 3%. Both indices are lower than their lowest recorded value since the 1966 starting value by 53%.

Bird indicators are regarded as being a good indicator of general stat of wildlife because they occupy a wide range of habitats. Twelve of the species included in the index declined between 2008 and 2009 and seven species increased. Many of the species showing a downward trend have been in decline for four or five years. Goldfinch and Jackdaw have shown long-term upward trends.

The indicators of wild bird populations are published by Defra along with the RSPB and the BTO. They show changes in the breeding and wintering populations of common bird species.