Annual inflation drops to 10% according to the final data for the month of January released by Istat, down from 11.6% in the previous month .

The gas effect is fundamental: with the price ceiling and the warm winter, the costs of energy goods have decreased, especially on the protected market, explains the National Consumer Union.

Electricity on the protected market dropped by 18.1% compared to December, gas by 36% . On an annual level, the price of electricity recorded +6.1%, that of gas -33.4%. A completely different matter should be made instead in the free market, where the price of gas is still growing compared to December (+2.6%). On an annual basis, the free market recorded +174.8% for electricity and +117.8% for gas .

"The cut in system charges and the reduction in VAT on gas to 5% also for the second quarter of 2023 must be extended, given that the budget law only intervened until the end of March", explains the president of the association Maximilian Dona .

«The reduction of bills – he continues – is essential to continue to control prices and the inflation emergency has not yet been resolved. The cost of living remains unsustainable: for a couple with two children, inflation of 10% means a blow of 3,167 euros on an annual basis, of which 969 just for eating and drinking. For a couple with a child, the additional annual expense is equal to 2,931 euros, 875 for food and drinks. On average, the price increase is 2,514 euros for a family ».

On an annual basis, the greatest price increases are recorded on expenses for housing, water, electricity and fuel (+34.8% and sting from 1,193 euros on an average family). Followed by food and non-alcoholic drinks (+12.6% and 711 euros of extra spending for an average family).

(Unioneonline/L)