The Dutch annual rate of inflation fell slightly to 3.1% in October, according to a flash forecast by national statistics office CBS.

The figure is down marginally from September’s forecast of 3.3% and is based on preliminary data that will be finalised later this month.

Consumer prices rose by 0.3% compared with September.

The small decline in headline inflation was mainly due to lower energy costs, which increased by 2.1% year on year in October compared with 4% in September. Food and drink were 3.8% more expensive than a year ago, while the cost of services was up 4.5% year on year.

Calculated according to EU methods, which exclude the cost of rental housing, inflation was 3%, still well above the eurozone average of 2.2%.