Inflation in Spain drops to 9% in Sep

Madrid, Sep 30 (IANS) Inflation in Spain dropped to 9 per cent in September from 10.5 per cent the previous month, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE).

In July, inflation reached a 38-year high of 10.8 per cent, Xinhua news agency quoted the Office as saying on Thursday.

The main reasons for the fall in inflation are a reduction in the price of electricity, and in fuel and transport costs.

This follows the introduction of measures by the Spanish government at the start of the month to offer free transport on local trains, half-price fares on middle and long-distance trains, and on municipal transport.

The Spanish government pointed out that the "Iberian exception", which allows the Spanish and Portuguese governments to cap the price of electricity generated using natural gas, has had an important effect on cutting energy costs.

The level of core inflation (which doesn't include the more volatile costs of energy and fresh food) also dropped slightly, from 6.4 in August to 6.2 per cent in September.